I stared at my boyfriend Jay through a chemically-induced fog. Both rebellious teenagers, we'd left our homes and families to live on our own. We thumbed our noses at our parents' rules by the way we dressed, by using drugs, and by moving in together without being married. So Jay's bit of news had me scowling in disbelief.

"What do you mean, your mom has invited us to dinner?"

I was incredulous because I knew that Jay's parents were "normal" people, the type that crossed to the other side of the street when they saw us. Not only that, Jay had told me that they were religious. Yet sure enough, we were invited to dinner, and the thought of a good meal eventually convinced me to go.

To my surprise, Jay's parents welcomed us warmly into their home. As we sat down to eat, I was painfully aware that my appearance—torn clothing, tattoos, and a dozen body piercings—clashed with the elegantly decorated table. Yet his folks treated us with friendly respect—even asking whether we wanted to play Scrabble afterward! I was bewildered by their kindness.

Crazy love
Over the next few months, Jay's mom continued to contact us. Sometimes she brought a sack of groceries; other times she wrote letters that quoted Bible verses, saying she was praying for us. We'd read the letters aloud to our friends and have a good laugh. "Your mom must be crazy!" I'd chuckle. But the laughter couldn't mask the emptiness I felt inside, and our lifestyle of partying and drug use only got worse.

Once, after a weeklong drug party, Jay and I became aware of spiritual darkness in our lives. We were very scared and called his parents, who immediately came over with their pastor and some friends. Though we fully expected to receive criticism and disapproval, these "church people" simply stepped over the trash on the floor, looked past the ugly death and skull posters on the wall (we even had a black paper bat hanging from the ceiling), shoved aside drug paraphernalia, and began counseling us and praying for us.

I was deeply touched by their love and acceptance. I'd been stuck in a downward spiral of depression and despair, and when I heard that God could give me a brand new life through Jesus Christ, I bowed my head and turned everything over to him. Equally moved, Jay prayed as well. From that moment, we knew our lives needed to change. Realizing it wasn't right for us to be living together outside of marriage, Jay proposed to me that very day.

Coming full circle
After a "hippie"-style wedding—outdoors and barefooted—Jay and I began attending my in-laws' church. I noticed a sharp contrast between our untrustworthy friends and the reliable love of the church members. That was the kind of love I wanted to receive, and to show toward others.

I joined the church's women's group, but as the only married teenager, I felt out of place and unable to relate to the other ladies. I couldn't understand their excitement over getting out the hot glue gun and making dried flower arrangements. Nevertheless, they didn't give up on me. They invited me to weekly Bible studies and fun times at the park.

Nearly every day Jay and I were gifted with some form of love and acceptance from our fellow church members. As we struggled financially, we'd find anonymous checks in the mail or sacks of food on our doorstep. Once, a new set of soft flannel sheets turned up on our front porch.

We read our Bibles and attended a study group. As my relationship with God steadily deepened, I began to yearn for the opportunity to share his love with kids who were as troubled as I'd once been. So Jay and I began to volunteer with the youth ministry, working with teens living on the streets. Talking with those lost kids in their dirty, torn clothing reminded me how, at a needy time in my life, genuine Christian love had looked beyond appearances to a heart that needed Christ. And it cemented my determination to show that same unconditional love to others.

Today, if a homeless person visits our church, or someone comes in the door with purple hair and a nose ring, I walk right up and say, "Hi! I'm Michelle." Then I tell them I'm glad they came and invite them to an activity or church function.

And when I'm not busy with church activities? I take care of my husband and my children. And, well—sometimes—I even get out the hot glue gun and make dried flower arrangements.

Karen Strand's articles have appeared in Today's Christian Woman, Guideposts, and many other publications. She currently writes health-related articles for Hope for Women.

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