Sonshine, the four day Christian music festival in Willmar, came to an end on Saturday night, but it wasn’t until Sunday morning that everything “hit” me. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. to interview campers about the overall festival in order to write a Sonshine wrap up story for West Central Tribune.

On my way into Willmar, I started thinking about all the sermons I had listened to and all the testimonies the artists had shared. Tears came to my eyes as I began to remember how close I used to be to God. I remember talking to him when I’d walk home from school everyday. I’d pray before I went to bed every night and every morning when I woke up. I’d read my bible and share the word with children at church. But, something had changed along the way.

I don’t know why, but I stopped talking to God and stopped praying. Then, when I went to college, I stopped going to church and reading my bible. I was slowly slipping away and soon I was questioning the word of God. I started asking myself how God could exist and why I ever believed in such a silly thing.

There would be times when I’d wish I could just stop questioning and believe again, but it never worked. I was stuck in a rut and I didn’t know how to get out. But as I sat in my car with tears pouring out of my eyes, I realized I was finally saved. The people I had talked to and the testimonies I had heard during Sonshine had helped me see the truth again. I turned off the radio and began to pray and I’ve been praying ever since. I know it will take awhile to get back to where I was so long ago, but I’m on my way and that’s all that matters right now.

So thank you, Sonshine, for letting me see the light again.

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Jasmine, photos by me