10/10/2021
No matter how dark our past has been and how lost we might feel due to incorrect choices we've made, God will always illuminate our way to help us go back to His light. Here's a story of a man whose life was lightened up after accepting the gospel in his life.
"I grew up with a single mom, with my Grandma, aunts, and uncles around me. Like any other family, there were rules to follow especially my Grandma who wanted her grandchildren to live a good life. We were told to pray before eating and before going to bed. Respect for elders is very important and going to church is a must every Sunday. I was brought up in a Chrisitan family.
These became the routine in our family until my cousin took me to Manila and sent me to college. I took up a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering at the Phil. Merchant Marine School in Las Pinas City, Metro Manila. Hopes were high as my dream of becoming a seaman slowly unfolds when I graduated.
But things did not go that way. Because of some personal problems in the family, I went home and from there got exposed to the different vices common to young people. The worst is drugs.
I got into drugs despite the advice from my family and relatives but I refused to stop and even wrestled with them every time they confronted me about it. For me taking drugs is life. One day my aunt called me and told me to stay away from the place where drugs are prone because she knew I was always hanging there and told me that place was under surveillance. Still, I did not listen.
Two weeks later, PDEA raided the place and I got caught. That was mine and the whole family’s lowest moment that they said my imprisonment is more than losing a dead loved one…My mom, aunts, and cousins felt the deepest pain when I got caught and imprisoned.
I was helpless then but my family never stopped there. They got the best lawyer to free me from this world with the hope of a brighter future for me. They expected me to realize the things I have done and be transformed to start a new life again.
Inside the prison cell, I learned many things including respect for others. I realized it was a big mistake for me not to listen to my family and relatives. I know how they cared and loved me but I took it for granted. I followed my judgment of getting into drugs. For me, I was always right! I thought it was the end of my career until I was released from prison.
Years later, I had a friend whom I chat through messenger almost every day. I always gave time to her and asking her if she is doing well every day. I will never forget that every time we end up our conversation at night, she will always say, “Pray always. Wherever you go. Be grateful even though there are challenges in life”. She reminds me always that I should be hopeful in many things despite everything that happened in my life. Months later, she told me about the missionaries of their church. I don’t know why I said yes instantly by the time she said that the missionaries will be going to teach me. At first, I did not feel the spirit because I don’t have any idea about their teachings. But my friend never gave up on me. She wants me to feel happy. She always encourages me that no one can judge me except Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ changed my life.
The teaching of the missionaries continued….
Until such time that they gave my baptismal date. I cried a lot. I felt the spirit that time. But, adversity came. I will not forget that day when my baptism is nearly approaching. The missionaries had a pre-interview of baptismal questions to me. We were shocked because we all thought that the baptism will not be granted due to my previous issues about my imprisonment. However, I wasn’t sad. I cried but somehow I felt relieved. All I did was PRAY. I went home and pray. After minutes, the missionaries called us again about what happen. They said that my baptism will continue. It was granted. It asked permission from the area presidency. God is good. It was my time. I was elected by God.
Since I was baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I would consider it as the happiest day in my life. I learned that God will not judge you for who you are today but for who you will become in the future. I will endure until the end by following His commandments. I will not waste the opportunity He gave to me. I am so lucky because He chose me as one of His true disciples. I have a healthy environment now. I am proud to say that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
To those struggling today, you are loved! Don’t think that it is the end of everything. Be hopeful. Some things could define true happiness in life. It could refine you. Find the missionaries or accept them in your homes. They are instruments of God. They can change your lives just like mine. I testify that Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son know and love us individually."
- Flhenn Lahrin N. Esman
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