Hannah's Story
Hi welcome, friends,
Let me introduce myself, my name is Hannah Smith. I am an athlete, a Jesus seeker, and soon to be a new author for an upcoming book. Here is a little story of how Jesus had changed my life. I pray that this encourages you in some sort of way.
At six years old, in my second year of grade school. I was so incredibly shy. I would always hide from the teachers in Sunday school. I would always hide behind my parents, and even under the chairs. I never really wanted to participate. Jesus was very new to me and I didn’t understand who He was. My parents had always talked to me about Jesus, here and there, although I never really understood fully of whom He was all about. Before bed, my mom would tell me that I had told two fathers. I simply said, “How can I have two father’s?” My mom clarified, well you have Daddy and you have a Spiritual one in Heaven, His name is Jesus.” Over the years Jesus become more real to me as I sought Him out, with the encouragement from my mom and dad.
One day, while at school, I was playing on the swing set next to a few other kids. I boldly asked a new friend if she knew Jesus? She seemed very shy, shaking her head, and she walked off. I continued swinging, but when the bell rang I ran up towards where the kids would line up. I looked up and saw Jesus just above the kids. I was in awe and tried to get a closer look to Him, at that moment He completely disappeared.
The first time I heard a strong audible voice
I was walking through my neighborhood and I happened to come across some guys that had Halloween masks. I was so terrified and scared. I didn’t know what to think or do.
One other time, I saw the same guys trying to scare me again while riding the bus. When I returned home I heard The Lord say, “Hannah, Don’t be afraid, I’m here. You don’t need to be afraid anymore, I am with you” the words I heard were very warm and comforting. The Lord’s words were in a deep tone of a father’s voice.
The following day, after I heard Jesus’ voice for the first time before. I went to school feeling so much stronger in my spirit. In my head, I was saying to myself, “I got this, I can do this. I got Jesus on my side.” When fear came my way I didn’t feel any fear, it was gone.
Fast Forward to High School
During High School, I strongly remember Jesus telling me to read my Bible. Although, there were so many other distractions, such as Homework, Track and Field, Cross-Country, and Cheerleading practices almost every day.
As I would walk through the halls heading to my next class while sometimes dreaming about wanting to watch the Twilight movie again. At the same time, I had always felt more drawn to do other things, such as wanting to check out the latest “Seventeen Magazine”, to finding out what my Horoscope was for the week and basing it off on how life is flowing for me right now. Not to mention, all of the Cheerleading practices, Track and Field and Cross-country practices I was heavily involved in. Although, I loved it!
My College Years
Moving into my dorm on the first day of move-in. My mom had noticed an information table called, “Campus Crusade for Christ”. My mom and dad, both encouraged me to go.
After seeing my parents leave me in my dorm room, it was a bunch of mixed feelings all following together. One of my first couple of friends named Lucy, above on your right. She really encouraged me to go to Campus Crusade for Christ. I don’t think I remember feeling excited about it right away. I ended up attending one day; I really became interested in being around the sweet family-friendly faces. It was all really great stuff, such as worship, sharing scripture verses, and many really good teachings about God’s word in the Bible. It was all so very helpful to my soul.
This next gal, that made another really huge impact in my life for the better is this girl. Drea was my very first roommate. She really encouraged me in so many areas of my life that would lead me closer to the Lord such as sharing scripture verses and showing me how amazing God’s Word is, what He can do for us. Everytime I think of this sweet memory back to my college days, It just makes me want to tear up. On just how incredibly thankful I am for her sweet friendship.
Evelyn was one of my first classmate friends I had in college. I met Evelyn in my very first class of college. I simply said, “Hi, may I sit next to you?” She was so kind enough to let me sit next to her in class and we instantly became friends. At one time I had told her about this really cool program called, “Campus Crusade for Christ.” I invited her to come check it out.
Evelyn became very active in seeking the giftings of the Lord. As our sweet friendship grew, she really encouraged me a lot into wanting to grow closer to the Lord in so many ways.
Jamie really helped me immensely in the giftings and knowledge of Jesus. She taught me so much, and just about everything she knew about the amazingness of the Lord Almighty. I would say, in terms of getting to know more about Jesus, such as deep studies on God’s Word. Along with learning, how we can apply His word now to our daily lives. She was one of my disciples, throughout my college days.. At one point in college, Jamie was telling me that she was going on a summer project for eight weeks with CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) in Santa Monica, CA. They would teach you how to go and learn how to spread the gospel of Jesus among the town of Santa Monica. I was so curious, and excited for her, that she was going. I wanted to sign myself up right away with the voluntarily help from Jamie. The application went through and I successfully got in, Praise God! I was in Santa Monica for eight weeks studying God’s Word every day, meeting new friends; we had worship time about three times a day. We did street outreaches which was so scary at first because it was something that I’ve never done before. It became exciting to just share God’s love by showing kindness to people on the streets and ask if they needed prayer for anything.
One night, just a couple minutes before evening the service started, one of my team leaders came to me and said, “Hannah can you lead us in prayer before we start?” At first I was nervous and shaking in my boots. But I ended up saying “Yes, I’ll do it.” This was completely something out of my comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like this before, in my entire life. When I got up there to pray, I waited to until everyone was done talking and I just held the microphone among at least a hundred people in the room. I didn’t know what to pray, so I just dug deep inside my spirit, prayed a prayer for the team, and that was it. I was so relieved that it was over, and I did it! I made that accomplishment! Cross that off my bucket list.
After all, was said and done, and the time spent there was done. I was packing up my bags ready to leave Santa Monica, so much more rejuvenated and empowered in the Lord. It was a really great experience! That trip was defiantly growth booster in the Lord, for sure! In so many ways!
I have to share about this last gal in my college days before I begin to wrap things up. Valerie was a huge help as well in helping me to grow more, and being able to learn more about the Lord by teaching me about God’s Word and how it can reflect and shine in our lives every day. She was so gracious, and so kind to me always, while always inviting me to her Bible studies that she would attend on a daily basis.
All hosted right by the college I had gone to. Her testimonies and stories about how God was shaping her life really helped me in so many ways.
Lastly but certainly not least, I want to share about one other gal that has also really made a huge help to my life. Danielle is one of my friends that has been so graciously kind enough to teach me about how to hear God’s voice more and more every day throughout my life.
What Life is Like Today
I would of never ever thought I would have the chance to come this far, in my relationship with the Lord. Just about every day, I would always feel so driven to get up super early in the morning to seek the Lord, long before work hours even begin. I would either spend time reading God’s word from the Bible, or writing down notes, or just whatever I feel led to do that day for Him.
I really pray, that this story was able to encourage, and or uplift your soul in some sort of way. I pray these words will bless you!
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