The First Time I Met God

Living in Fear and Uncertainty

It was 2017, and I had been living in Tallahassee, Florida for five years. Yet I still didn’t have friends I could truly call my own. Not friends I completely trusted. Everyone I knew was connected to my son’s father. I was a brand-new mom to a three-month-old baby, trying to survive in a life that felt completely out of control.

Quite frankly, my life was an utter mess. It felt like I was the single mom starring in a movie about chaos and survival. I had just discovered that my son’s father had been arrested for dealing drugs and carrying weapons in his car. I found out the only way possible, by accident. One afternoon, I turned on the news and saw his face as the headline.

I hated watching the news, so I don’t know what compelled me to turn it on that day. But I did. Later, I learned that his family had known since the night before and chose not to tell me. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t seen them. I lived under their roof.

That was the moment everything shifted.

I realized I was living in an unsafe environment and had no idea how I was going to protect myself and my tiny little boy.

“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (CSB)

Within 24 hours, my son’s father was back living in the house. His family paid a large amount of money for bail and a powerful lawyer. Over the next several months, the house became even more dangerous. He continued dealing drugs, inviting addicts to live there, and creating constant instability. His mother, a teacher in another county, left control of the home to him.

Searching for Safety

For the next seven months, I did everything I could to keep my son and myself out of that house. I took him to safe places during the day because I didn’t want him exposed to what was happening there. We were not safe, and I lived in constant fear that DCF would get involved and take my baby away from me.

He was my everything. My reason to live.

I couldn’t afford a place of my own, and I didn’t have family nearby. I felt trapped with no clear way out.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.”
Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)

A Divine Appointment at the Mall

One winter day, when my son was ten months old, I took him to the mall so he could play at the indoor playground. Another mom and her little boy joined us. As our boys played together, I found the courage to introduce myself. We had so much in common, and for the first time since becoming a mom, I felt seen.

Her name was Ashlee.

Before we left, we exchanged numbers. About a week later, she invited me to an event for moms and their kids. She said it would be simple, just moms hanging out, eating food, and letting the babies play. I was extremely nervous, but I said yes.

That night was the best night I had experienced in a long time.

Every woman there radiated a light and love I didn’t even realize I was missing. At the end of the evening, they invited me to church. They told me it was “come as you are,” with no judgment, and that jeans and T-shirts were welcome.

“Let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24 (CSB)

Walking into Church for the First Time | The Moment I Met God

I had never been to church as an adult. I had only gone a handful of times when I was nine years old, so I didn’t know what to expect. Everything in my body told me not to go, but my heart told me to try. If these ten women were any indication of what church was like, I didn’t want to turn it down.

I was right.

The moment I walked in, I was greeted with open arms and open hearts. There was a children’s center for my son, run by the same moms I had met just days earlier. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

After getting my son settled in the kids’ area, Ashlee walked me to our seats. As soon as the worship music started, she lifted her hands and worshiped with joyful tears streaming down her face. I tried to hold everything inside, but halfway through the first song, I couldn’t anymore.

Tears of joy, relief, and hope rolled down my cheeks.

She leaned over and whispered, “It’s okay to cry in church. God loves you and accepts you just as you are.”

I don’t remember what the sermon was about that day, but I remember how it felt. It felt like God was hugging me the entire time.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:39 (CSB)

Learning What Faith Really Means

I came from a broken home where I wasn’t accepted as I was. I was expected to conform, to stay quiet, and to hide parts of myself. Growing up, I believed Christianity was only about following rules, especially the Ten Commandments.

Church showed me something entirely different.

It showed me unconditional love, grace, forgiveness, acceptance, and joy.

“Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.”
Romans 12:10 (CSB)

God Opens the Door to Freedom

After that first visit, I kept going back week after week. I joined the young adults group and began embedding myself in this new safe space. Every time I walked through the church doors, my connection with God grew stronger. I started reading my Bible on my own.

Within the next year, God opened doors I never imagined possible. He helped my son and me escape the toxic environment we were living in. He gave me the strength to finish my degree and the courage to start my stationery business.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5–6 (CSB)

Growing, Returning, and Being Made New

In 2020, I struggled with my faith, just like many others did. But God never stopped calling me back. Even when it takes time, He is faithful.

Now in 2025, I choose to spend every day walking with God. On July 21, 2025, I was publicly baptized by Ashlee, a moment I will forever treasure as I shared my faith openly with the world.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)

A Mustard Seed of Hope

This past year, I have truly begun to understand the depth of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. I look forward to working with God to help others connect with Him on a deeper level.

I share my testimony to remind you that God has the power to change even the darkest circumstances. It doesn’t happen overnight, but He is always working.

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (CSB)

God will take your mustard seed of hope and grow it into a strong, life-giving tree.

And one day, you’ll look back and realize you were never alone.

If you want to read more ways to deepen our faith and build a relationship with God here are a few articles to help you dive in.

And remember, You are not allow. You are a valuable, loved, and worthy. You are more than welcome to Join our 75 Day Holy Girl Facebook Page for community and support or just follow me on tiktok, facebook, instagram, Lemon8, or Pinterest. My Goal is to up lift you as you are going though life and helping you connect to God. He will make a way even when we don’t see how.

Your Sister,

Charlet
@CharletsStationery