All my life, I have grown up in a Christian home. I have parents who tell me what is right and what is wrong. I can hardly remember my behavior before I became a Christian. I do remember that I did not feel guilty after I did something wrong. I would not care how my actions would affect those around me. When I received Jesus into my heart at a Vacation Bible School, I was around the age six. After that, I still did wrong things, but I started feeling guilty. I began to question myself with questions like how would my parents feel and how would Jesus feel.

The next summer, I went to Vacation Bible School again. However, children who had received Jesus with me previous year were again saying they wanted to be saved. I was very confused and became unsure about my salvation. I did not know if I had to renew my faith annually or whether I was still saved. Fortunately, an adult explained to me that once I had Jesus in my heart, He would never leave.

Believing in Jesus has helped me enormously. The assurance of an everlasting, dependable friend has caused me to feel safe. One of the main reasons I chose to become a Christian was to know that there is a God out there who loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die for me, a sinner, and that He loves me no matter what. Growing up with a personal Savior has made me feel protected and loved. I have felt that God would be there whenever I needed Him, even when I disappoint Him. Now, I realize how fortunate I am to have since had the chance to grow up in a Christian environment because my parents took me to VBS in the first place, have since supported my decision to accept Christ and continue to bring me to church so that I can be exposed every week to the Gospel.

Until last September, I also attended private Christian schools. Respecting, my ability to make a wise choice, my parents allowed me to decide earlier this year whether I wanted to switch from The King’s Academy to Los Altos High School. Personally, I did not want to leave The King’s Academy because I wanted to continue to live in a protected environment where everyone else was supposedly a Christian. However, even though there were Bible classes twice a week, I still felt that this Christian setting made it too easy to speak my faith because no one would contradict me. It seemed as though fewer spiritual challenges confronted me in this understanding environment. However, I knew that Christians in public schools are confronted daily with challenges, such as not being allowed to pray. Though, I wanted to stay in a Christian environment, God had a place for me at Los Altos High School, and gradually I realized it was time for me to leave.

Psalm 27 helped me with my fear of the new school I would attend. “The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? …Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; … For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; …Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.” Even today, these verses assure me that with God, I do not need to be afraid of the new people and environment of a public school. Why should I fear anyone, let alone anything, when I have an almighty God who is the Creator of the universe? I feel assurance that God will take care of me no matter what and will be a constant friend to lean on and always depend on. God has truly blessed me in letting me grow up in a Christian home.