My only hope for this book is to reach one person, one group, so that they may realize that only by the light of God can every shadow of darkness in every corner of their life be dispelled. With just a flicker of hope, His light may shine brightly. So brightly, in fact, that it will illuminate our paths.

Through each of these stories, I hope that at least one person learns that there is always someone worse off than we might be.

The ability to turn our lives around starts with the willingness to trust, the open-mindedness to let God in, and the faith that He sees our plans and our future. It's only through Him that we can truly discover our purpose in life and, more importantly, the willingness to achieve it. If every person realized that we have exactly enough time in our lives to complete God's purpose according to His will, we would stop implementing our own will. Realizing that He is the author and finisher of our faith and very being, He knows what's best for every situation we face. Now, saying that, I emphasize this: there is a vast difference between existing and living, and only in Him can you genuinely live. Now go! Don't just exist, live.