I Was living on the fast lane.....

Jesus.

Unlike many kids today, I grew up in a family w/ both parents present, My father and Mother were very hard workers and did their best to raise us up.
San Diego is known as one of the nicest cities in the US and maybe even the world.
But there is another side to this city. My siblings , (4 brothers, 1 sister) and I all grew up on the East side of San Diego. I was surrounded by violence and temptation.

In my teen years, the friends that I had since childhood and I formed an even tighter bond as we all joined a gang together.
The friendship we had gave us all a sense of acceptance. I guess it was something we all craved and needed. Growing up in a fast city, surrounded by drugs gangs, violence, You really need someone in whom you can trust. Someone who would have your back in a tight spot. Sadly even within these tight friends there was a lot of deceit and manipulation directed towards one another. Reality was that, everyone was looking out for #1, their own selves.

During this time I was witnessing my friends going down at an alarming rate, Some lost their lives to tragic death, (more than once I counted 5 in 1 year). Many were being locked up, Either in Juvenile Hall or Prison.
I could read the writing on the wall, As I’d had some close calls. I’d been stabbed shot and had come close to death. I knew that eventually it would be me. It was just a matter of time.
I realize that during the years of drugs and gang violence, the people who really suffered the most, were our families.

I had a girlfriend and a son, Part of me felt that I needed to be financially secure, I saw a way to make fast money, Instead of pursuing something legal with a future, I began to deal drugs. My Plan was, to make some money and then pull out and settle down. I made money but it wasn’t enough, the more I made, the more I wanted! so I got deeper and deeper in trafficking drugs.
Even though I considered my girlfriend and son my family, I was never home for them. I left them home alone for days, I wasn’t being a father to my son, I neglected him and could not settle down no matter how hard I tried. It seemed that I had lost control and would not be able to stop living life on the fast lane.
I had moments when reality would come crashing down on me and I would begin to wonder what was going to become of me and my little family. I would ask myself, “What kind of life am I living? Am I going to be killed or go to prison? Will I ever get married? Am I even going to be around to raise my son? Even with all the money and the material things that it could buy, I found myself empty. I knew I had to begin to be honest with myself and face the hopelessness of my life. I saw no future.

But then the day came when I heard the most wonderful news ever! That Jesus Christ loved me, and if I would just put my faith in him, that he wanted to forgive me of all my sins, and give me a brand new start! Change my life and give me hope and a future.
I realized that all the emptiness I felt, was just the symptom of the real need in my life, The need for Jesus Christ.
I gave my life to Jesus Christ and He has literally transformed me ! Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, In every way. He exceeds all my expectations. The day I received him into my heart, he had the greatest impact in every area of my being than I could dream of.
He immediately broke the invisible chains that held me prisoner. The chain that prevented me and my family from experiencing true joy, love, peace, life and the hope of eternity with him!
For the first time in my life I felt truly alive. I felt the unconditional love and acceptance from Jesus Christ.
I am now the husband to the most beautiful and faithful wife, ( yes I married my girlfriend). My son is now 6 years old. He loves God and is on fire for Jesus! We have a 4 year old little girl, and a new one on the way.
God has given me a legitimate job working with abandoned, neglected and abused children . My job is to work with the teen boys, I get to share the hope and love that God has to offer them.
God put me in a place where I cannot forget the pain and emptiness I came from and all he has done for me.