A Year After

March 6, 2010.

It was a night that wasn't like any other nights that I've experienced before. It did start out pretty normal, but I never knew what was going to happen that night. I already have marked and tagged myself as a version 2.0 of  me. Little did I know I will become indeed a version 2 of me.

You see, March 6, 2010 was the night I have felt something that I've never felt before. It was the night that I cried out and sought Jesus like I never did before. It was the night that He changed my heart. And today marks the very first year since that night.

The verse you see in the picture is the very verse that God has told me to turn to when I get home.

"He began to be in need." is the very verse that showed up when I turned to this verse. The very thing that I was feeling that night that made me turn to something that I have tried to avoid for months. I began to feel in need, and that very moment I turned to prayer. A prayer that made me ask God to show me square 1. And that He did.

I celebrate today with joy and gratefulness in my heart for it is the very day that God have surgically replaced my heart. Truly, that day, I became the version 2 of myself. No longer cold, far and rebellious against God but one that runs towards Him and totally depends on Him on all things.

Now, a year after, I'm still at awe at that very day that I received the joy of my salvation. I don't think no other experience could ever top that. It was the very day that made me just hold on to my bible and not let go of it. And to think, hours before that, opening and reading from it was something that I would have an allergic reaction to. I can't explain the whole feeling of it, but to sum it up, that night truly was refreshing. That night, I would say, I was born again.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit" - John 3:5-8 (ESV)

I thank you Jesus for that very day when you came into my life and replaced my heart. I thank you for this new heart, this new life that you have granted me, one that I do not deserve. I know, from my previous actions that I deserve being forsaken by someone as awesome as you, yet you gave me this new heart that is able to see and recognize what you've done to the cross and eventually get into this relationship with you. Get into this very thing where in I would be able to experience the awesomeness that you are. Oh, my mouth that once sputtered filthy words that came from my heart is now replaced with repentance and praise of your Holy name. May I have more of you and less of me as I celebrate this day. I have nothing but love for the one who has given me Love. With my life, I pray that I'll forever give you praise, this I ask through Your Son, Jesus...

Amen.