It seems like yesterday I woke up to find my husband slumped over the dining room table. I tried to wake him but his hand was cold. As I read the letter on the table, I couldn't believe it. Though he said he loved me, my husband had committed suicide by drug overdose. I was in shock for the next year. We had a good marriage; we shared everything. He had a successful medical practice. But as a Hindu, my life ended with my husband's death.

The Hindu faith says this tragedy happened because of things I did or didn't do in my previous lives and so I was reaping what I had sown. As I slipped into depression, my three teenage daughter encouraged me to attend the church where they had gone to Sunday School as children. Although I went unwillingly, I was surprised at how loving everyone was towards me. They prayed for me and seemed to really care. At Hindu gatherings, I didn't feel the same love and acceptance.

So I kept going back to church even though I was suspicious of Christians. I didn't think I deserved their love. Gradually, through talking with Christians and reading the Bible, I understood there was nothing I could do to gain God's favour. His love for me doesn't depend on what I've done or not done. That's why Jesus died--to forgive me. He's the only way to God. Because of that gift of forgiveness, I've been able to forgive my husband and myself for what happened. And only God can give the peace, love and joy I've experienced since then.

What about you? Where are you on your spiritual journey? Have you experienced pain at the loss of a person you love? Is your heart cold and hard? Do you desire to experience peace and love? You too can know peace and love! Simply express your desire to God through prayer. God knows your heart so it doesn't matter which words you use, but here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of woman you want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life just as He promised. If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.