Switchfoot Fanatic:
Member of the Home
Real Name:
Jessica
Location:
In the cornfields of the USA
Email Address:
You wish.
AOL and Yahoo Screenames:
AIM: odetoswitchy
Birthday:
August 17, 1983
Favorite Verse and Quote:
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow
me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever lsoes his life
for my sake will find it." ~Mt 16:24-25
Testimony:
On July 8, 2003, my life changed. Nothing drastic happened. It was just one of those
little life-altering moments that came out of the blue for a nice big surprise.
Before I dive in, I need to tell you a little about my life at that time: it was, in
my mind, perfect. I had a wonderful boyfriend, who I loved and just knew I was going
to marry. I had a great job, which I absolutely loved. I had finished my first year
of college (which I also loved) with a high GPA and was looking forward to continuing
in the fall. It seemed like everything was going great. I even remember telling my mom
how I thought my life was perfect. I was, however, missing one important detail: if you
don't let God into your life very often, your life isn't perfect.
Ok, now enter July 8. My boyfriend took me to my very first concert. It was a little
thing at a 4-H fair outside in the rain. But I didn't care - it was my first concert
experience! So what if I only knew 4 of the band's songs? It would still be awesome.
Little did I know how truly great it would be...
So the band comes out. They begin to play and, literally, my jaw drops to the ground.
I am awestruck by the brilliance of these guys. The lyrics, the music, their stage
presence, their voices, just everything. So gentle, passionate, and true. As you could
probably guess from my screen name, the the band I'm speaking of is Switchfoot. They had
such an impact on me, that I became an instant fan.
This isn't the end of the story though. You see, just a few days later, my world caved
in. I went from having "perfection" to experiencing the lowest point in my life. Within
24 hours, my boyfriend dumped me and I lost my job. Not only that, but the way I found
out about them was awful.
My boyfriend didn't tell me anything was wrong. But he did tell everyone else. One night
I was talking to a mutual friend, and she said that she was sorry that he had broke it
off. He had told her everything a few days earlier. What?! I said. I was blind-sided.
She had no idea I was clueless. Needless to say, it was quite messy emotionally on my
part, especially since I predicted marriage. The very next day at work, as I'm trying to
hold back tears because of what occurred the night before, my boss's wife, who was also
a co-worker, blurted out that she didn't think they'd be needing me anymore. Holding back
tears and anger was no longer an option. So after finishing out the day, I went home a
very depressed and confused young woman.
What was wrong with me? Two big rejections within a day? Why? What did I do? were the
thoughts that were running through my head. But July 8th was still fresh on my mind. I
went straight out and bought "The Beautiful Letdown." I drowned myself in their songs for
about a week, and their words moved me so much. Then it dawned on me: my life wasn't
perfect because of good grades, a boyfriend, and a job - no matter how fabulous they were.
I wasn't letting God take part in very many of the important parts of my life.
Since then I took a vow that I would never let my life get in that bad of shape ever
again. I took a serious look back at my 20 years of life and noticed that only on the
outside was I a good Catholic. I went to church every - and I mean every - Sunday since I
was five, and I volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and for other church-related
activities. In my outside life, I graduated with high honors, I helped others, loved kids,
and did plenty of volunteer work for the poor and community. I also never partied, drank
alcohol, smoked, did drugs, or had gone farther than kissing in a relationship. I had an
unblemished record in that respect. By all means, I believe most people would say that I
was a great Catholic, who was leading a very Christian life. But my inside self needed
some serious help. I just had to become better.
Now I listen more. Pray more. Think more. Learn more. I feel so much stronger now. I let
more things go and worry less. And everything seems to fall into place. I am so happy.
Yes, I still have struggles and setbacks but now they don't get me down, for I know
there's a grander purpose for them in my life.
Isn't it funny how life's little tragedies bring us closer to God, which isn't a tragedy
at all?
Switchfoot helped me turn my spiritual life from ok to amazing. It's like they handed me
some puzzle pieces to my life and said So what are you waiting for? Put them in place!
Their songs have guided me towards a stronger Catholic faith and a beautiful life that
revolves around God. I thank Him so much for letting them come into my life because,
without them, I might still be lost. It was them who let me know what I was really
missing.
So my testimony isn't dramatic. I wasn't an atheist who converted to Christianity, and
I don't have any other impressive life story. I was a cradle Catholic, who never doubted
her religion. But in my soul, because I saw Switchfoot on July 8th, things clicked and
became so clear. I began an amazing journey that is bringing me closer to God everyday.
And that, my friends, is what really counts.
What Makes Me Smile:
God, my church, family, friends, children, good food, milk, peanut butter and chocolate,
teeth, laughing, love, others' smiles, and learning.
Favorite Musician(s)/Band(s):
Switchfoot, Sanctus Real, and Hawk Nelson
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