Although I made God an afterthought in my life, God had not abandoned me. I had lost my job just before school resumed in fall of my senior year. Yet within a week I found another job: crisis averted. The next week I journeyed 100 miles from home on a motorcycle, my only mode of transportation to the new employee orientation. On the last day of orientation, someone had knocked my bike over while it was parked on the road. I picked it up—now missing a rearview mirror—but the bike wouldn’t start. I felt helpless, far from home with no money and my only asset now a huge liability. By God’s grace one of the few people still remaining from the orientation was going my direction and had a pickup which could carry my motorcycle too. Furthermore, a new coworker helped me to fix the motorcycle. That gave me a moment of catharsis; I knew without a doubt that God was always watching over me.
Fast forward several years, I had married a Hindu woman I met in school and we have two lovely boys. We shared much in common, yet our cultural upbringings greatly differed contributing to our divorce. She sought to find a private school for our children when our younger boy was just entering kindergarten due to frustration with the public schools. This is where Orthodoxy entered my radar. I discovered Agia Sophia Academy when searching for schools. We both agreed that it would best of all the schools we saw. I liked the idea that my kids would finally get some exposure to Christianity, as I had been quite neglectful in this area of life.
After we decided to enroll, I realized that I knew nothing about Orthodox Christianity. I decided that I should start going to know more for myself. I began with a Vespers service in August, followed by Liturgy the next morning. It was very different from anything I had experienced. The people were very warm and welcoming. Reading along with the prayers and services really helped me digest it all. I could see much deeper meaning now. The affinity I felt for eastern religions was satisfied by Orthodoxy. I knew after a few months that this would be my spiritual home.
I have come understand that, despite all the gifts God granted me, I am helpless without Him. Christ has changed me as I’ve come to know Him—bringing inner peace and joy. Christ is waiting for each of us wherever and whenever we finally acknowledge His presence to receive His love. All Glory to God the Father, my Lord Jesus Christ and the all-holy Spirit.
