Something I read today really spoke to me so I thought I'd share it...

"Just before my 17th birthday, a drunk driver killed my mom. My dad, brother and I were in the car too, so the crash devastated us physically as well as emotionally. My body healed in a few months, but my mind plunged deeper into despair. Plagued by depression and even suicidal ambitions, I doubted I could ever recover from this tragedy.

Then a high school speech teacher asked if I'd be willing to visit schools and tell my story. Though I hardly felt speaking was my forte, I desperately wanted to let everyone know the dangers of driving while intoxicated. I spoke in numerous classrooms my senior year, and was even invited to testify before the state legislature to plead for tougher drunk driving laws. So began a string of opportunities for me to talk to other teens, law makers, even DUI offenders. I'll never fully know how my words impacted others, but I'm sure of one thing: I was being changed.

Out of the wreckage of my life, God provided purpose and healing. He opened doors and invited me to look beyond myself. I've seen firsthand the truth in Ghandi's words: 'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.'"

(written by Carolyn MacInnes for Focus on the Family)

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