Jeremy's Story
A Story of Redemption
From the very moment I was born, God’s hand was on my life. Even when I was just a baby, living in abandoned houses and cars with my mother who struggled with addiction, God was already writing a greater story. He knew my mother could not care for me, and in His divine plan, she wrapped me in blankets and placed me on the doorstep of my great grandmother and great uncle.
That night, my grandmother lifted me from that doorstep and laid me on my uncle’s bed. My uncle had just returned from one of his singing programs, and when he walked through the door, my grandmother said, “Norman, I hope you know what you’re doing.” Confused, he looked to his bed—and there I was, six months old, with no father and no mother. From that moment, my uncle and grandmother adopted me, and they gave me the childhood I could have only dreamed of. They taught me love. They taught me Jesus. They taught me to embrace people of every color and background.
That night, my grandmother lifted me from that doorstep and laid me on my uncle’s bed. My uncle had just returned from one of his singing programs, and when he walked through the door, my grandmother said, “Norman, I hope you know what you’re doing.” Confused, he looked to his bed—and there I was, six months old, with no father and no mother. From that moment, my uncle and grandmother adopted me, and they gave me the childhood I could have only dreamed of. They taught me love. They taught me Jesus. They taught me to embrace people of every color and background.
But even with such a blessed upbringing, I strayed. After high school, I turned to marijuana, heavy drinking, and walked away from church. Even though I had grown up in the church, I realized that I didn’t know what much of it meant. My faith slipped further and further away. I ignored the warnings of my uncle and thought I knew better. In 2014, I was wrongfully accused of domestic violence and arrested for the first time in my life. I cried out, “God, why me?” And yet, through His mercy and through others who spoke up on my behalf, I was dismissed. Looking back, I realized I had ignored God’s voice speaking through my uncle.
A year later, when I thought all hope was gone, God whispered, “Not yet.” He brought a young woman into my life, and together we shared five beautiful years and welcomed a precious baby girl. For a time, everything seemed perfect—my career was thriving, my daughter was growing, and life felt full. But success came with sacrifice. Even though my career was thriving, my relationship crumbled, I lost access to my daughter, and I became homeless. The pain drove me deeper into drinking, and though I smiled at work, inside I was broken and alone.
In 2021, on a cold, icy night, I reached my breaking point. With a bottle in hand, I drove down a winding road, ready to end it all. I called my friends and told them I couldn’t take it anymore—that I was going to drive off a cliff. But as I sped toward the edge, my car struck a tree stump. Instead of going over the edge, I walked away alive. In that moment, I stepped out of the car, lifted my hands, and cried, “Thank you, Jesus!”
That night, I surrendered my life to Him. That night, I knew Jesus had His hand on me. That night, I understood He would never leave me nor forsake me. That night, I realized He had a greater purpose for my life. He will walk you through the fire to get your attention.
For years, I carried this story silently. For years, I cried behind closed doors. For years, I smiled outwardly while whispering inwardly, “Thank you, Jesus.” But today, I share it openly, because my life is living proof that God rescues, redeems, and restores.
I’m done not telling my story anymore.
A year later, when I thought all hope was gone, God whispered, “Not yet.” He brought a young woman into my life, and together we shared five beautiful years and welcomed a precious baby girl. For a time, everything seemed perfect—my career was thriving, my daughter was growing, and life felt full. But success came with sacrifice. Even though my career was thriving, my relationship crumbled, I lost access to my daughter, and I became homeless. The pain drove me deeper into drinking, and though I smiled at work, inside I was broken and alone.
In 2021, on a cold, icy night, I reached my breaking point. With a bottle in hand, I drove down a winding road, ready to end it all. I called my friends and told them I couldn’t take it anymore—that I was going to drive off a cliff. But as I sped toward the edge, my car struck a tree stump. Instead of going over the edge, I walked away alive. In that moment, I stepped out of the car, lifted my hands, and cried, “Thank you, Jesus!”
That night, I surrendered my life to Him. That night, I knew Jesus had His hand on me. That night, I understood He would never leave me nor forsake me. That night, I realized He had a greater purpose for my life. He will walk you through the fire to get your attention.
For years, I carried this story silently. For years, I cried behind closed doors. For years, I smiled outwardly while whispering inwardly, “Thank you, Jesus.” But today, I share it openly, because my life is living proof that God rescues, redeems, and restores.
I’m done not telling my story anymore.
At Calvary Church, our mission is to see lives transformed by the power of God. If God has transformed your life, share your story here.