Tara has never had an easy home life. Her parents divorced when she was young, and amidst the confusion of swapping households every weekend, she also had to grapple with the high expectations her parents placed on her. Middle school is hard enough as it is, but Tara dealt with pressure from the place that was supposed to be safest: home.
Her family was broken.
Tara held her head high at school. Doing her classwork, laughing with friends, and going to extracurriculars. Trying to ignore the nagging inner voice that told her she was still not good enough.
But inside, she was broken.
In sixth grade, Tara went to an after-school club called Campus Life. At Club, she met people who told her about Jesus. When the opportunity came, Tara prayed the prayer, but she still didn’t really understand the Gospel. People said Jesus came for sinners, but could what did that mean for Tara? Could He really heal a broken life like hers?
The next year, Tara met Kaylee at a Club Christmas party. Kaylee came alongside Tara and encouraged her. She listened to her story and told her she was not alone. That God had made Tara in His image, and because of His redemption, she was more than enough. That night, something clicked.
“I’m going all in,” Tara told Kaylee. “It makes sense now.”
Tara had experienced God’s forgiveness in a real way. The wrath was gone—her life was new!
From that day on, things began to change. Tara started going to youth group. She went to Bible studies, meeting with Kaylee and learning more about God and His plan for her life. Her faith started to grow, and she began praying earnestly for her friends and for her parents.
The Christian life isn’t easy. Tara often asks questions like, “How can I be bold in my faith?” and “How can I care for others when I’m hurting?” She is learning to come to God with the painful things. She’s learning the sacrifice it takes to dedicate time to be involved at church. She is learning forgiveness—how to love and respect her parents when they are unsupportive of her newfound faith.
But people like Kaylee from Campus life have consistently come alongside her to pray with her, support her, and help her navigate a life dedicated to serving Christ. God has given Tara a generous heart, and she is using it to share hope with those around her who are still walking in brokenness.
Pray for Tara and for other students like her. Praise God for His healing power and compassion—a love that moves mountains, restores families, and mends even the most broken of hearts.