My name is Lisa Lesley and this is my story:

"I grew up in a Christian home and received Christ at a young age. While I know that my conversion at that time was genuine and authentic, it wasn't until much later that I began to comprehend the depth of God's love fully. When I went away to college, I started believing the world's lies that my outward image was the most important thing. I was wrapped up in who my friends were, what I wore, and how I looked.

March 28, 2001, my world was rocked when I was involved in a terrible car accident. I broke my neck in three places and had to wear a halo for two months. I was 20 years old. I vividly remember when the doctors told me about the halo. My first response was not to thank the Lord that I didn't need surgery, that I wasn't paralyzed, or even that I was alive. No, my first thought was how ridiculous I would look in that contraption. That gives you a pretty good picture of my heart at that time. Oh, how I wish I could tell you that was my moment of awakening, but it was not.

I can see how the Lord was taking care of me, showing me His love, drawing me back to Him. I think I saw it then too, but I was running from Him. I spent the next two and a half years serving myself and ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

But God.

He relentlessly pursued me in His great love for me and never gave up. He slowly softened my self-centered heart and turned me back to Him. While the change was not immediate, I know the wreck was the catalyst for change in my life. That terrible accident provided blessings beyond anything I could comprehend. The driver of the vehicle that fateful day was my friend Scott, who is now my sweet husband of almost 19 years. Through God's beautiful provision, He brought us together through it all.

Look what God has done!

I'm thankful for the scars on my forehead to remind me forever that even my selfish pride couldn't diminish His love for me. A daily reminder of how He has transformed me and how much my faith has grown. I have by no means "arrived," nor will I on this side of heaven. I still struggle with selfishness and pride, although in different ways than my 20-year-old self. God has done so much in my life and marriage, and His work continues. He is so faithful, and I am so grateful."

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

To God be the glory!