I (Cari Vath) think I broke every commandment while growing up. I lied, stole, disobeyed, and dishonored my parents. I worshiped rock bands, and hated my sister. I ran away from home, drank, smoked, and did whatever I could to disgrace my parents. Then I moved to Wisconsin, thinking it was “my ticket” out of my past, but we all know how history repeats itself.

I wound up involved in an abusive relationship; after two years, I sent up the “white flag” and came home. You can imagine the wheelbarrow of emotions I allowed to ruin my life—shame, guilt, and depression.

My answer was to get involved in another relationship with someone I had known for a long time. After dating for two years, we moved in together; one month after that, I was pregnant!

As my boyfriend looked at the positive pregnancy test and rambled excitedly about how he couldn’t wait to be a dad, all I could think was, “I have to change. I’m not good enough to be a mom.” A still, small voice interrupted my thoughts and said, “It’s time to give your life to Jesus.” I had no idea what that meant, but for some reason that voice gave me hope.

Soon afterwards, I became close friends with my neighbor downstairs, Vicki Debartolo. She invited me to her apartment for meals too numerous to count. She brought me groceries, drove me to pre-natal check-ups, and took me to her church in Elmhurst, Illinois. She began talking to me about the Bible, and we began Bible studies. Once, she told me how she had been thinking of moving into my apartment before I came. The landlord unlocked the door, and as soon as they stepped inside she heard a voice say, “No, this place is not for you.” God always has a plan. I kept studying and completed other Bible lessons by mail.

My boyfriend, on the other hand, wasn’t so interested. In fact, the faith that Jesus was building in me was a source for many arguments. He soon left me for another woman. At this time I was a baby in the faith and wasn’t seeing the big picture, so I prayed fervently for his return and indeed, he came home. I vowed to become the woman in Proverb 31, and by God’s grace, I was.

In September 2004, my husband left again. A month before he left, my daughter was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She could hardly walk. If it wasn’t for God’s promises, many prayers, supportive parents, and an absolutely wonderful church family, I’m not sure where I would be. My daughter just turned three and now she can climb stairs, run, jump, and play like any three-year-old.

On July 17, 2004, I was baptized and my daughter was dedicated. I will never forget the moment I publicly professed my love for Jesus, my true husband. He made me a new creation. He has cleansed me with His righteous blood and I can boast only in Him. I am forgiven and the Creator of the Universe loves me. What can possibly be better than that? So I want to say, “Thank you mom and dad, Vick, and Elmhurst Church family for all the love, guidance, and support. I can’t wait to hug you all in Heaven.” Most of all, “Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me, forgiving me, and loving me with an agape love that’s hard to grasp sometimes. Your grace will always be sufficient enough for me, no matter what!”

Cari Vath, as told to Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer writer