Two Years Ago I Was Blessed…

By, Pete Lawrence (Mighty Oaks Legacy Graduate, August 2019)

Two years ago I was blessed to attend @mightyoaksfndn. For years I ran away from struggles with PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) and trauma. I shoved them deep down and refused to acknowledge the demons that kept me awake at night. My walk in faith was at best lukewarm. I refused to truly give my heart to Christ.

Before this series of photos I was broken. God had sent me on a course for true salvation that would fundamentally shift who I was a man, friend, father, husband, and most importantly disciple of Jesus Christ.

Broken down after what I thought was MY biggest failure left me hospitalized at the VA hospital in Seattle. Years of anxiety and PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) had finally cascaded on me in nearly three days of rolling flashbacks that left me completely burned out.

Little did I know that God had placed me on a path of servant leadership and eternal salvation. He had spit out a man who was isolating himself and pushing back from a true loving relationship with Christ. (Proverbs 18-1). He was forging a man who would thirst for a relationship with his creator. My discipleship was unremarkable. He would use these trials and tribulations to spread his loving word.

I arrived at Mighty Oaks after my wife and friend @rob.0311 signed me up. For years Rob had recommended it to me.

Within hours of being at Mighty Oaks I truly felt God’s embrace. Back within a community of veterans I saw a wide swath of men who struggled with so many of the same demons I felt only afflicted me. I opened up my heart and felt the burden of years of shame and guilt be lifted off me. I felt the love of Christ replace years of inadequacy. God has given a beautiful gift of grace. He only wants us to have a true relationship with him.

On 10/18/2019 I was baptized. Everyday since, God has ignited a passion in my soul to serve and model Servant Leadership in everything I do after the model of Christ. 1 John 2:6

If you are looking for a way to help Veterans please donate to Mighty Oaks. They cover all the costs for veterans and first responders travel and stay. Your donations help save the lives and souls of men and women.

*This post was used with permission from Pete from his Instagram post*