Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you tried, you just didn’t feel that you did a good enough job, or that someone was completely satisfied with you?

That’s how I felt most of my young life.

I grew up in a small town near Detroit where my father owned and ran a successful moving and storage business, and volunteered on many civic and church committees and boards. He loved me very much, but I always wished he had more time for me.

My mom wished for more time with him, too, and she compensated by becoming overly concerned for my needs and welfare. I felt that I had to be “Mom’s good little boy” so that she could be proud of me and could be fulfilled by my good behavior. But, I was never convinced that I filled that role successfully.

I also tried hard to develop skills that were important to my dad in order to make him proud of me. So, I became fairly good at basketball, track, singing, trumpet, and school politics. I even studied hard enough to earn a MBA from Michigan, and I was making plans to work for and eventually own and manage the family business. But, it still seemed that I didn’t measure up to standards that I couldn’t even identify!

Then, one month before graduating with my MBA I was invited to attend a picnic sponsored by a student Christian group on a rival campus known for its beautiful women! So, of course I went! There I found myself in the midst of about 120 of the most wonderful, fun-loving students who had a gentle confidence about them that attracted me immediately.

One of them was Eddie, a Jewish guy who explained that he had found forgiveness for all of his sins, and was experiencing power and purpose through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who he recognized as his people’s Messiah. He encouraged me to trust in Christ’s death on the cross as complete payment for 100% of my sins, just as he had done. He showed me in the Bible that Jesus promises not only forgiveness, but also a full and meaningful life as I seek to follow His direction.

Even though I grew up in a wonderful church where I heard at an early age about Jesus’ death for my sins, I somehow never grasped that his forgiveness was totally unconditional. Several days after talking with Eddie I decided to place my faith in Christ’s death for me, and I invited him into my life to take control.

Since that day, I have still had occasional doubts about my self-worth and my ability to perform up to people’s expectations. But, God soon reminds me that He loves me no matter how I perform. He has also worked in my life to eliminate some bad habits and attitudes which I was never able to conquer on my own.

He has also allowed me the freedom to accept the unconditional love of a wonderful wife with whom I have raised four children who love God and who trust Jesus for their lives’ fulfillment, and who have 12 children of their own.

Each day, I’m encouraged by the promises in the Bible that Christ will never leave me nor forsake me, and since I am in Christ’s family I am a new creation. Old things have passed away and new things have come from God.