A few years ago when my youngest child was born I thought we, as a family, were complete. But when Ben got whooping cough I began to wonder.

Shortly after Ben came out of hospital my husband and I started an Alpha course at my parent-in-law's church. This is where my oldest two children went to Sunday school. After a short time it all made sense. I needed to know more so I began going to church.

In November 2002 I gave my life to the Lord. This is when life became difficult - a whole new lifestyle. I had to tell family and friends I was now a born again Christian. Coming from a non-church going family it wasn't going to be easy.

First I had to tell my Mum and Stepdad. My Mum was ok but my Stepdad took the mickey. I had been warned about people's reactions but it didn't prepare me for the hurt I felt.

I prayed to the Lord to help me get through this time.

I was talking to my daughter's teacher one day when she told me Jade had made them laugh as she had told them off. They had been talking about Christmas.

Jade had said to them, "Chirstmas isn't just about presents and Santa, it's about Jesus our God." She went on to tell them about it. I felt so proud.

I began to think - if my six year old daughter can proclaim Jesus her Lord and Saviour why can't I?

Since then I have been open and honest about my beliefs. It is still difficult to judge people's reactions but I just think of my now eight year old daughter and all the Christians in the world, famous and not so famous, and the same difficulties we all share and get over with the help of that baby born in a stable all those years ago.

by Hazel Michael from Lincoln