Laura grew up in a small town in Kentucky, where faith and the church were central to her upbringing. Her entire family was deeply involved in their local church, including a grandfather who served as a deacon, a grandmother who was the church secretary, and her mother who served as the treasurer and played the piano for services.
For Laura, church life seemed like the norm for everyone. “Growing up, I thought church was a part of everyone’s life, and that’s just how things were done.” But as she entered her teenage years, Laura began to drift away. Although she never stopped believing in God, she admits, “I definitely put Him on the back burner.” She became bored with church, convinced she knew everything, and began making choices that led her down a darker path. She started drinking, smoking pot, and surrounding herself with people she thought were friends.
At 20, Laura became pregnant. The man she believed would stand by her left her alone, and she had to turn back to her family for support. Her mother, always steadfast, was there for her, offering unconditional love and constant reminders of God’s importance in her life. But after the birth of her son, Laura fell into old habits, drinking again and eventually moving far from her family for another man she thought would be there for her. They married and tried to build a life together, but the drinking continued, and the marriage was strained.
Eventually, the weight of it all became too much. Laura returned to her family once more, where her mother welcomed her back without hesitation, gently reminding her, as always, of the difference God could make in her life. But Laura still wasn’t ready to listen. She was hurt, angry, and felt isolated. She reconnected with the same troubled friends from her past, and it wasn’t long before she found herself in serious trouble. Laura was arrested for selling drugs and sentenced to ten years in federal prison.
In prison, Laura’s anger grew. She was furious with her boyfriend, herself, and especially with God. She asked, “God, why did You let this happen to me?” But in the midst of her anger, something began to change. Through interactions with people in prison and the Bible studies offered by Crossroads, Laura felt her heart beginning to soften. She realized that she had always been a caring and giving person, but she had never seen much value in herself. It was during this time that God began to show her just how important and beautiful she truly is. “After all,” she says, “I am the daughter of a King!”
Through this journey, Laura learned that she didn’t need to follow others—only God. He told her to sit down, slow down, and learn to love again. Reflecting on her experience, Laura shares, “I am a better person for my mistakes. I’m not angry anymore, and I realize now what my mom’s been saying all along: that God is what’s important. He gives me the strength, courage, peace, and happiness I need to live each day.”
You can help others like Laura discover hope and transformation by donating to Crossroads or becoming a volunteer mentor. Join us in making a difference today!