Dear Pastor,

I hope that when this letter reaches you, you are in the best of health. May the Good Lord continue to bless you.

I would like your help on a matter that needs urgent resolution. I am 21 years old and a good mother to two young children. I was brought up in a good, Christian home and always felt that I knew the Lord as my own personal, best friend. I migrated to the United Kingdom seven years ago and sort of lost my way. I became pregnant in my teens, ran away from home and was basically a problem child, but I always remained a believer in the Lord.

It feels right

My family is strong in Him and my mother recently gave her life to the Lord, which brought me to church for her baptism. I felt close to the Lord again, but the feeling was deeper. I began to get emotional and started crying and praying. I think the Lord is calling me and it feels right. But something in my head is not allowing me to connect with my heart.

My life is one big mess, but I put my Lord in it and it doesn't seem so bad anymore. In the past, some of the paths I took were bad and at times I felt disappointed with a lot of people, especially God. Being a young mother at 15 years of age quickly threw me into adulthood. I wish I had waited, but I love my kids and feel more motivated and purposeful having had them. We live alone and I do get lonely at times, but not because I don't have a man in my life. That is one of the last things on my mind, to be honest.

I am afraid

I am a strong young woman but I am now afraid. I try to convince myself not to be, because of my children, but that has stopped working. I talk to my family on a regular basis but I am afraid to let them know how I feel as I want to show them that I am independent as well as make them proud of me, after the wrong choices I have made.

I am going to pray. Please give me some of your fatherly advice. God bless you. I will also say a word of prayer for you.

A.R., London, England

Dear A.R.,

What are you afraid of? Is it that you are afraid to totally surrender your life to God or is it that you are afraid that you may be a failure in life? May I suggest that you read your Bible every day and pray. And that you talk to yourself everyday and assure yourself that you can make it regardless of how difficult the circumstance might be.

You are a powerful woman and with the help of God, you can reach your goals and objectives. May I suggest also that you read the Book of Proverbs as often as possible. I have found the book of Proverbs to be very instructive to young people. Please associate yourself with God's people at all times and love your children with all your heart.

I am praying for you. I know God will take care of you. Keep strong.

Pastor