Mathew and Natasha

Natasha and I met in college and began dating. When I met Natasha, she had convinced herself she would never become a Christian and was not thrilled when I started inviting her to church with me. Being in the house of God long enough rubbed off on her and she decided to give her life to Christ. 

On April 25, 2012 everything we knew came crashing down, both of our worlds turned upside down and leaving both of us uncertain of what tomorrow would look like. Little did we know that our lives would never be the same and God was getting ready to do a work neither one of us could have ever imagined.

 April 25, 2012, due to my own bad decisions, I was charged and sentenced to a 10-year prison sentence in the MD state prison system. The news stopped Natasha and I in our tracks. 

Natasha was faced with the decision of whether she was going to stay or leave me. If I’m honest, I encouraged her to leave. BUT GOD had other plans. Through constant prayers and waiting for an answer from God, Natasha felt God telling her to stay the path because “this is who I created you to be. I created you to be loyal, faithful and selfless. Now go show the world what that looks like.” I remember holding on to Romans 8:28, but I didn’t know if I really believed that. God couldn’t possibly use this situation for good. 

Exactly 5 years into the 10- year sentence I was scheduled for a parole hearing. We knew it wasn’t anything to look forward to due to my offense and my record, everyone gets one but very few people are granted parole.  As I went into the hearing, I remember thinking God must set up the perfect storm to do the unthinkable, to do the impossible for his glory. During the hearing, one reviewer, stopped and looked up for the first time and said “You know what I’m going to do? I don’t know why, but there is something about you and I’m going to give you a ‘fresh start’.” Those were the words, I knew God was speaking. I left without words to explain it and I rushed back to my housing to share it with Natasha. 

I prepared to come home one day in January, a day that Natasha was unaware of. I showed up as a surprise to her with a ring in hand and asked her if she was ready to start this new season God was writing, as my wife.   She said yes and here we are. 

We have a story unlike most and now we sit in this stride of possible awaits. There is no valley too low or mountain top too high that Gods love can’t reach. Our story shows God will never forsake you, but he will go through great lengths to REMAKE you.