Mitchell LaFlam

For a long time, I felt like I was trying to carry everything on my own. I believed in God, but I kept Him at a distance. I’ve been blessed with many successes, but inside I felt disconnected — searching for purpose, direction, and peace, I couldn’t seem to find. Over the past few months, I’ve found myself drawn back into my faith. As the world around me felt more chaotic and uncertain, I realized there was only one foundation I could truly lean on — God. The more I read, prayed, and learned, the more I began to feel His presence. I came to understand that God wasn’t waiting for me to ‘get it together.’ He was waiting for me to come to Him. Baptism is my public declaration that I’m done trying to live life on my own terms. I want the life God has planned for me. I want to walk in faith, not fear. Through reflection and prayer, I’ve accepted that I’m not perfect and I won’t get everything right — but I trust God’s grace and His plan. I’m committed to growing, seeking Him, and walking in the purpose He has for me.

Since accepting God as my Savior, I’ve started to see the world differently. I’ve become more accepting of others, more understanding, and more mindful of my actions. I think about my sins and how to turn away from them, and I’m learning to live with a clearer conscience and a softer heart. I’ve also become deeply grateful for God’s grace, the opportunities He’s placed in front of me, and the blessings He’s surrounded me with. I’m realizing that every success I’ve had and every gift I’ve been given comes from Him. None of it was by my own strength alone, but through the abilities God placed in me. It may sound cliché, but I genuinely feel like I’ve become a better man. And I continue to grow every day since letting God take His rightful place in my life.