This Is Me

On December 9, 2004, I was born but I wasn’t alive.

I was born prematurely.

My lungs had collapsed and I was born blind.

I had to be transferred to another hospital.

I died three times in my mother’s arms.

But on the third day, the Lord came through.

As my mother fell asleep, the name “Lazarus” came to her mouth.

She spoke my name and by God’s grace, I woke up breathing on my own with eyes that could see.

From the very beginning, God showed me that my life belonged to him.

Growing up, I was always a fighter, a survivor.

God healed me even though life wasn’t always easy.

I was a hard loving kid at times but I always wanted to spread love. Even at 21 years old, that desire is still in me.

When I was 10 years old, I was caught in a house fire.

I suffered second and third degree burns that went down to the bone.

If God hadn’t spared my life, I would have died a fourth time.

My grandmother and sister were there.

I truly believe God worked through my sister to help save us.

We spent four weeks in Augusta, Georgia, recovering.

I had burns on my hand, the back of my head, my neck, my back and later my foot.

Doctors had to remove skin from my thigh for skin grafts.

After that, life became difficult.

I was bullied because of my scars.

I became ashamed to walk outside.

I often felt blamed for things even the fire and during my teenage years I struggled with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Even with word curses, labels, there were moments when I wanted to give up because it seemed like no matter what I did, I was always the problem.

But there was a voice that kept saying “no.”

At the time I didn’t fully understand it but now I know the spirit of God was watching over me.

I may not have known him yet but he knew me.

I grew up going to church but I didn’t truly know God.

After graduating from Swansea High School in 2023, I went to South Carolina State University.

I was focused on my education but when I lost focus spiritually, I gave in to temptation especially lust.

I would tell God I wouldn’t do it again only to fall back into it.

It broke my heart.

I spent nights in a dark room crying.

I questioned myself.

I even wondered if I had lost my chance of finding the woman God had for me.

I carried unforgiveness toward myself for a long time.

Then during the summer before transferring colleges, the Lord met me at home.

The sun was shining brightly and I suddenly felt overwhelmed.

Then I heard a whisper “you need my word”

I got up and walked outside.

The wind began to blow and before I could even speak, I heard it again saying “return to me”

This time I didn’t question it.

I simply said yes.

Just before turning 20 years old, I surrendered my life to Jesus and received his gift of salvation through his blood.

A few months later I transferred to Benedict College.

Three days before the semester started, God began teaching me how to be bold.

At the time I was in a relationship, but I knew I had to let it go because it was standing between me and the Lord.

It wasn’t easy but Jesus became my first love.

As I continued walking with Christ, people around campus began recognizing me because I was always reading God’s word.

I don’t take credit for that.

If anyone sees anything good in me, it’s the light of Jesus shining through me.

From 2023 until now in 2026, God has continued to strengthen me.

Year after year he has made me bolder, wiser and more faithful.

One of the greatest blessings God has given me is my church family at Forward City.

I found pastors and people I truly call family.

On October 19, 2025, I was baptized.

As I came up from the water, I felt the Lord say “welcome home”

Today I have been walking with Jesus for three years.

I’m serving in my church, working and preparing to graduate college next year.

My life hasn’t been easy.

I have died, been burned, been bullied, battled depression, anxiety, temptation and shame.

But Jesus has never left me.

Every time the enemy tried to end my story, God wrote another chapter.

People often say you’re blessed because of what you have but the greatest blessing in your life isn’t what God has given you, it’s Jesus himself.

He is my eternal blessing and he is enough.

To God alone be all the glory.

This is me as we just getting started

I wasn’t breathing yet God breathed for me.

I couldn’t see but God saw my future.

I couldn’t fight yet God fought for me

Before people knew my voice, God knew my cry.

Before I ever spoke, he preserved my life.

Before I could choose him, he chose to keep me alive.

My story is saying “Look What The Lord Has Done”