For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

I grew up in a Christian home, surrounded by the teachings of the Bible. From a young age, I attended church regularly and was enrolled in a Christian school, so the Word of God was always a part of my life. I followed all the practices of a Christian life and did what was expected of me. However, during a Sunday School class one day, a verse caught my attention and I felt God speaking directly to me. Until that moment, I believed that doing good things and living a good Christian life was enough. But God was calling me to something deeper—a life of repentance and salvation. At 12 years old, I gave my heart to Jesus. This decision didn’t guarantee a perfect life and I faced many challenges, but I also continued to grow spiritually. In June 2007, I was baptized after feeling the Holy Spirit’s conviction to take this step of obedience. Since then, God has never left my side. His Word has continually guided me, showing me the path I should follow.

My spiritual journey wasn’t without setbacks. It took me years to understand that living a Christian life is about progression, not perfection.

In 2012, I began teaching in the Sunday School Ministry at my church. Through teaching, I found that God was also teaching me, helping me grow stronger in His word and deepening my dependence on Him.

Growing up with an absent father left me with insecurities, but God’s love and grace filled those voids. Even after my mother passed away in 2021, I have continued to experience God in deeper, more personal ways. Life comes with hardships and struggles, but they are part of the Christian journey. God’s presence is constant, just as it was with Joshua, calling me to be courageous and commissioning me for His work.

Sometimes, the world may see me as a failure, but as my spiritual mentor once said, ‘God’s definition of success is preparing us for His Kingdom.’ Every day, God helps me to work out my salvation (Philippians 2:12), to trust and obey His word, and to bring everything to Him in prayer as I wait for His return.

Encounters with the Holy Spirit

There have been several significant moments in my life where I’ve experienced encounters with the
Holy Spirit.

God in My Hospital Bed:
In 2013, I had a near-death experience due to a severe accident that left me hospitalized for almost a month and required multiple surgeries. My face was badly injured, with significant skin loss and a broken jaw, making me unrecognizable. As I lay in that hospital bed, unable to speak as I healed, I reflected on how my injuries seemed miraculously limited—almost as if someone had protected me. Despite everything, I felt an overwhelming peace. It was during this time that the Holy Spirit spoke to me through the verse 2 Timothy 1:7: “I have given you a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.”

These words took on new meaning for me. Even though I had every reason to be fearful, I found myself rejoicing and comforting those who visited me, including the doctors and nurses. This encounter with the Holy Spirit revealed God’s sovereignty over my life and showed me that He was far from finished with me.

Impact of the Holy Spirit as I prepared for Marriage:

I waited 29 years to meet my husband. From a young age, I believed that God had great plans for my marriage, even though I struggled with doubts about who would marry me. Growing up, I saw my mother faithfully uphold the covenant of marriage, despite my father being away from us most of the time. This instilled in me a deep respect for marriage. Over the years, through various encounters with the Holy Spirit, God shaped my prayers to seek a man who put God first in his life. Though my journey wasn’t without heartbreak, God never let me settle for less than His best. At the beginning of 2020, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I would meet my future husband that year. But then COVID hit, and the world shut down. As the year progressed, I grew weary and began to doubt. However, the
Holy Spirit encouraged me to remain steadfast. In October, I met my future husband online, and five months later, we were married. These encounters with the Holy Spirit guided me and helped me stay within God’s plan for my life.

Overcoming Grief:

In early 2021, shortly after my marriage, both my mother and I were hospitalized due to COVID-19. My mother’s health deteriorated rapidly. As we fought for our lives, I prayed fervently for healing and restoration. God answered my prayers, but in a way I hadn’t expected—He granted me life and called my mother to eternal life. In my hospital bed, before my mother passed, the Holy Spirit taught me to pray differently. Instead of pleading, the Spirit urged me to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). These were the last words I spoke as I held her during her final moments. Looking back, I know that it was the Holy Spirit who enabled me to pray that prayer. Over the years, the Holy Spirit has comforted me and helped me understand the purpose behind her passing. God showed me how
fulfilled my mother’s life was and how her mission was complete. I know that I am who I am today because she is with the Lord. Her legacy lives on in me, and I find solace in knowing that we are all overcomers through Christ. Our journey doesn’t end with grief—it’s just the beginning of a new life in Him.

Throughout all my struggles and tough times, the Holy Spirit has been my constant comforter, reminding me that Jesus is within me and that He will return as the King of Kings.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things,
and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” – John 14:26