Mariana [English]

Mariana

 Before becoming a Christian, what was your opinion of Christians, and of the church?
I was searching for God. I went to several churches- Baptist, Mormon, Pentecostal, Catholic, Charismatic......but I never found God. I couldn't ever discover who He was. Never. Why not? Because I was looking at the people. I saw the attitudes and actions of the people, and I was left disappointed. Later, when I understood that the model is Jesus, everything changed. Because generally, when you go to a church, you look at the people, and when one person doesn't act like he or she should, you get discouraged and you leave. So, I would look for a different church, to see what was new, and then another, and so on…
Today, I learned to look at Jesus.  

Who influenced your decision to believe?

 A fellow mom. We had a lot in common- we were both from La Rioja. We met here in Buenos Aires, at the kids’ school. This mom was going through difficult situations, and started to attend a church. As time went on, she started to invite me to the special events at church. And whenever there was a party, I was on board, so I would go just to have a good time. But little by little, I noticed these Christian families. They were people that would give you a hand whenever they could. The church events weren’t just about short-lived fun. It wasn’t the same as going out to a club, where you have fun with people, but never see them again. It was the way the church offered support that influenced my decision to believe.

Why did you change your mind?
I had started to think to myself- It’s time to grow up. You have a son. I had to become more mature if I wanted to change my son’s future. And the only way- something I already knew, but for a while I pretended not to understand- is God, the things of God, His guidance and His word.

I came to live in the city. This friend helped me to find a church close to where I was moving, and that is where I attend now. But at the same time, I came dragging along emotional issues, obstacles that kept me from serving God. But I stuck with it. Even though I wasn’t exactly on the right path, I kept going to church, knowing that there were things in my life that still weren’t in order.

In 2011 I was baptized. I decided to be baptized for one, because it is a commandment, and also because I made a commitment to walk with God and pay attention to his advice, and to be a part of his family.

What changed in your life after deciding to follow Christ?
Primarily, I changed on the inside. In everything there is an order, order in our emotions, our thinking, and our hearts. Now, they are working together. But before, when I was interested in the things of the world, my priorities were out of line. Through reading the Bible, following it’s advice, and praying. Just having a relationship with God changed so much. Today I have peace.

Also, I am more willing to get together with my my brothers and sisters in Christ. Before I wasn’t- I preferred taking a nice nap over going out to serve.

And as a mother, the truth is I was a disaster before knowing God. I would smoke, and drink, and stay out all night, I was a terror, and I would look in the mirror and say to myself- Me? A mom? But God could see things in me that I couldn’t. And now, my son is 15 and things are amazing. Why? Because God was with me, even from the time I was pregnant and just starting to search for Him. Otherwise, my life would still be a mess.

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry."
1 Corintios 10:12-14

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