THE DAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - JULY 8, 2015

It was a Wednesday morning and I was in Jacksonville Florida. I was in a yoga/meditation class and towards the end of the class the instructor asked us to open our mind and all of our senses to the things around us. 

I remember hearing the noise of the air conditioners, the banging of doors, and the sounds of people working out in the gym. I remember smelling the different smells of the gym, I remember seeing the people around me and wondering what they were thinking about. As we headed outside, I remember seeing a plane overhead, I remember seeing a large bird sitting in the branches of a tree, I remember hearing the sounds of a fountain nearby, I remember smelling the water from the nearby lake. I remember everything like it was today.

My mind and senses were wide open!

I instructor then asked us to walk around the deck of the pool and feel the roughness and warmth of the concrete deck on our feet.  Then she told us to step into the pool and feel the smoothness and coolness of the concrete in the pool. 

What happened next changed my life from that day forward. As I stepped into the pool I felt a very warm feeling and the only thing that came into my mind was the word Baptism. I felt like I was being Baptized. It was a very strange feeling and very out of place for me.  

Up until that point I considered myself an Atheist or Agnostic. I really didn’t have a belief in God. I went to Sunday School/Church as a child but stopped going after a period of time, I went to a Catholic High School and my college was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church but I still didn’t know God or have any relationship with Him.

It took me a few days to ‘figure out’ what this all meant. 

I knew it was God tapping me on the shoulder and saying, ‘Chuck, you’ve been lost and need some guidance and help, how about listening to Me and trying it My way’. And I did!

As soon as I got back home to Virginia I found a church, Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg VA. I attended a few services and felt welcomed and comfortable. I made an appointment with the Pastor and explained my background and what had happened to me. We talked (I mostly listened and learned) for about 2 hours. This was another important and
pivotable point in my life. I became very involved in church life and activities. I was home.

During our Christmas Service that year, I stepped forward to accept Jesus fully into my life. That spring I was baptized ‘officially’. 

Over the last several years my faith has continued to grow and I have continued to grow as well.

I attend morning devotionals online with yourjesusjourney.com and tune into Cornerstone Chapel on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. I also attend different churches on my travels around the country in person.  

My life is so much better since I stepped into that pool!