Nice to meet you
I’m Shari
My earthly accomplishments include graduating high school as valedictorian, obtaining an engineering degree and practicing engineering for 20 years. I have been in the tax preparation industry since then.
I’ve travelled domestically and internationally for work to China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as taking missions trips to Russia and Zambia.
My husband and I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. We have also cared for foster children and others in need. I’ve been involved in church music, teaching, and other ministries. I enjoy writing, speaking, gardening, bicycling, and much more!
I’m no theologian… but I’ve been seeking to fulfill His purpose for me…. And it is time to help others find the One who has been my driving force and has helped me with every challenge in life.
How it all started
Hi, I am Shari. I am a seeker like you. Working my way through a step at a time. As I child, I had no exposure to God or religion, except for attending my grandma’s church as a toddler. When I was in the 4th grade our family was going through some changes, having just moved to another town. I thought I would try to read the great big ol’ children’s Bible that grandma’s church had given me.
I read a passage that did not make sense. Something about sin entering the world through one person, causing death, and another man bringing righteousness and life. I didn’t understand. I was just a kid and really didn’t know if God existed. I prayed, “God if you are up there, help me understand what these words mean”. I went back to read the passage again and this time I understood clearly. Sin entered through Adam, the first man (and of course Eve), and that was the beginning of death. Jesus did the opposite, he obeyed God perfectly without sinning, and because he was perfect was strong enough to withstand the punishment for all our sins and bring eternal life to those who wish to believe and accept his gift.
You can read more about that in the Bible, in the book of Genesis chapter 3 and the book of Romans Chapter 5, verses 12-20. The point I want to make here is that God answered my childish prayer, when I did not even know anything about Him yet. No rituals, no affiliations, nothing was required except me seeking and asking. He wants to be found. I had some other experiences like that. In 6th grade I wanted to go to talk to the pastor of a local church… but I didn’t know what I would say.
In 7th grade I was put in a dangerous situation. I prayed, “God, if you are up there, protect me”. The person left me alone without harming me. Once I was alone in my room and the words “I hate God” kept coming to my mind, as if someone was planting the thought in my head. I still didn’t know much about God, or about good and evil…. but I could sense this was evil and I should not accept those words. I actively resisted them in my mind, and the thoughts stopped.
Have you had some experiences like those? I’d love to hear them… I could tell you more of mine, and the biggest one that happened when I was 15 years old…. You’ll hear it… but not yet… seek and you will find.
-Shari