Purpose in Life

Robert's Story

One of the metaphors of Christ I heard throughout my childhood was “The Good Shepherd”, watching his sheep. In my life that definitely applies. I grew up in a small town in Missouri called Kirksville. From the very beginning I went to church. It was what the family did, yet it didn’t mean anything to me. I remember my years in middle school as me just me standing in the background, trying not to get noticed since I never felt like I was anything special, or at least I never felt like my story was anything important. When my Uncle Leon passed away I was introduced to death at an awkward time in life. All I can remember is staring at his body not understanding why he wasn’t moving. Then we moved, and God moved with me.

We moved to Texas when I was twelve. We started going to church at First Baptist Church of the Woodlands. There was family there which my parents liked. I liked that it was a place where people didn’t know all the mistakes I made when I was growing up. In Texas I started going to a small private school. The following year I went to a different private school that didn’t work out and I lost whole year of school credit making me do my freshman year again. I was glad when it was over. I knew there was a reason I had to have that year but it wasn’t until the following year I saw why.

That year I started at Oak Ridge High School where I met the three friends that would help me get through the next four years. The first two years were uneventful but during the third year, one of my good friends passed away. Thankfully my other friends helped me get through it. After high school I started at a community college for a certificate program in child care. I was sure that was what I was supposed to do with my life. But then the program didn’t work out and I was wondering what I was going to do. On a leap of faith I did get my girlfriend to come to church with me, but I wondered about my future.

Then my mom found out about a place called New Danville when she was at a garage sale. New Danville is a community for adults with mild cognitive and physical disorders. I remember that the first time I came over the hill and saw New Danville I was wondering if it would be too country for me. But I took the tour and loved it. I loved how it was about independence while also learning to work as a team. Currently I have been there for two years and love life there and am going to move to there in February. I work in the woodshop.

My faith is stronger than ever. As I look back at my life so far I see that God has been there every step of the way giving me the push to make the necessary changes to keep moving forward. No matter what comes down the road I will take it with courage and faith knowing that God will always be there watching over me as The Faithful Shepherd protecting me and helping me as I go through life.

John 10:11 (New International Version)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.