When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

But in that process, I turned away from the God of the New Testament Jesus

Even though I had come to know Him through my school days, youth

Who am I that You Lord should choose to suffer and die for such a wrench this sinner who now kneels before You, guilty in so many ways

I, who knew of you from my young childhood days

Yet so easily forgot all I had been taught

You, the good shepherd, lovingly persisted and directed my path to a Christian school

Lovingly guiding my young life through your words

Bringing me closer to learning and getting to know you in all your fullness

Even then, I quickly shrugged off all you had taught me, all too eagerly seeking out many self-centred pleasures that swiftly became addictive

With thoughts and images that consumed every moment, all too soon tormenting my mind throughout the night and gaining strength throughout every day

In my weakness, I fell prey to so many lies from the enemy that mislead me onto other paths on darkness where I lost all sense of direction

Sin in all its fullness offers many seemingly harmless temptations, but all of them will snare you and corrupt your mind, body, and soul as they did mine.

If not for You, my Lord, being willing to forgive me my sins against You and freeing me from all the wicked darkness I had accumulated

Oh! The blessed relief and joy that flooded into my wretched body, I had quite forgotten what joy felt like and the quietness of peace of mind

I will continue to praise You, Lord, with every breath I take for the rest of my days.

For You are worthy of Praise