Son, Husband, Father, Pastor, Christ-Follower

I was born, raised, and still reside on a farm in the rolling hills of the Cumberland valley in western Maryland. Born to loving parents, I am the 6th of 7 children. At birth, as they tell me, I didn’t want to start breathing… which seemed to concern Pop and Mom. Thankfully, after a few stressful minutes the midwife convinced me of that necessity…and I’ve been breathing ever since.

My life story thus far, hasn’t been particularly unique or noteworthy. I had a good childhood, but not idyllic. My parents loved us deeply, and even in the midst of their own personal struggles and shortcomings, built a strong foundation for us with love and discipline. We worked hard and rested quite well. We squabbled, fell out, made up, came together. And sang, a lot.

As a preteen, I went through a season of instability which I would describe as being beset by hair-trigger anger outbursts and a general sense of depression. In the words of an annoying big sister, I was “a terrible person to live with it”. Another big sister shared with her sympathetic diary that sometimes she wondered “if Jared is alright…or not”. She seemed to be leaning towards the latter, describing me as “acting terrible dum”. (Don’t worry I didn’t snoop in her diary; she shared a screenshot years later…you know, after a couple of decades worth of perspective and healing allow us to reminisce and chuckle about such things).

We were raised in an ultra-conservative Mennonite conference with biblical teaching, stringent rules, and strong traditions. At age 15, I said my vows before witnesses and was baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Looking back now, I would describe my conversion and baptism as sincere, but not particularly inwardly or outwardly momentous. Although not a member of that particular church group anymore, I deeply appreciate the Anabaptist heritage and kingdom Christian theology.

As a teenager, I dealt with some mild to moderate mental health struggles. This mainly came in the form of unwanted obsessive thought patterns that were extremely distressing to me, spiritually and emotionally. Praise God-I had a very close friend whom I was able to share these inner personal battles with…and looking back, I realize how vital that was to my well-being and healing. Close friendships are so important for humans to thrive. Never underestimate the power of a listening ear.

My faith journey hasn’t been easy. I ask many questions…and questions can be dangerous. The mysteries of life, existence, and spirituality have always weighed heavy upon me. Every door opened leads to a hallway with many more doors, a few tunnels…and sometimes life-altering cliffs.

But you know, what I believe is more dangerous than probing questions from a sincere, seeking heart? Dull complacency. A faith planted in the shallow soil and shaded by the choking weeds, unaware and/or satisfied with soul-leanness. Such is the perfect spot to drift off into slumber to lullabies sung by the enemy. That is the greater danger.

I’ve wandered those hallways of questions and stared into the swirling black of nothingness. I’ve wrestled hand-and-fist with mocking conundrums; I’ve lowered deep into the well of answers and oftentimes drew back up buckets of discombobulation.

But let me tell you this- at the end of all dark hallways, at the bottom of those deep wells- I have found Jesus Christ. When the cacophony of skepticism and nihilism roars loud around me, I hear the quiet and powerful words of the Gospel. When human tragedy and pain engulfs my soul, I turn and find the marred figure of the suffering Son of Man. In my desperate groping to understand an unimaginable God, I take solace in the words of His Son, still ringing clear two thousand years later- “Whoever has seen Me, has seen the Father.”

At the ripe old age of 20, I married my wonderful wife Rosina. She has given life to our four precious children, of which I am forever grateful. How one person can be your lover, your best-friend, your companion, and at times, your mediator and supporter at your weakest moments- that is a wonder! It’s no wonder, however, that the apostle Paul was inspired to use the marriage relationship as the symbolic bearer of that great spiritual mystery which is Christ and His Church. I would be remiss to claim our marriage is perfect or having reached the pinnacle of potential. But I do know this: when a man and woman who love God, love each other in exclusive commitment- that is a blessed experience for which I can only marvel and praise our Creator!

Reality is brimming with paradoxical mysteries, especially if you look for them. Our experiences in the world are best defined in paradox: Beauty and Brokenness. Pleasure and Pain. Fulfillment and Futility. It amazes me often that in the course of one day I can think these two clashing thoughts – ” Wow, I am so unworthily blessed beyond measure!” and “life is so hard and tragic… I’m not sure how I can go on…” These seeming contradictions can bring disillusionment, but they also, I believe, hold the key to understanding the world and our created purpose as children of God.

“Paradox of Potential” – is a phrase I use to make sense of life. I may post more on this subject sometime in the future; for now I will nutshell it here: those things in life which hold the greatest potential for good will always hold an equal corresponding potential for evil. Marriage, family bonds, church brotherhood, sexuality- all of these incredible gifts, among many others, hold in their essence the massive potential of blessing and cursing that is almost beyond our ability to express. If you’ve lived life as an adult; if you’ve seen a thing or two…I think you’ll understand.

Which brings me around to the name of this blog “Young Again”. I believe that our infants and young children, even in their post-fallen broken state, give us a renewed glimpse of God’s intention for His children. To be child-like in matters of trust, wonder, and forgiveness is what it means to be whole. Our Lord showed us the heart of the Father on this matter, when He said “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The tragedy of life is the loss of Eden, through our disobedience and estrangement from our Father. This subject is close to my heart, and I shall write about it more, Lord willing. But suffice to say at the moment- I believe that through the work of Jesus Christ, we can become reborn into a new innocence in this life, and I hold to the hope that at the consummation of all things, we shall walk hand-in-hand with Him, as wise old children in a clean fresh world.

Until that day, welcome to my little corner of the internet. As a teenager, I wrote prolifically. Then came love, marriage, the baby carriage…you get the picture. For about a decade and a half, my exercise of the pen (or keyboard) went dormant as life filled in the gaps of youthful dream and leisure. But now, amidst the pressures and stress of life, I once again feel the call to write. The lemons are being squeezed; and I pray that what is expressed will be bold, sweet, and refreshing.

If I can bless one person, meet some struggling soul where they are, and give them a lift-then it will be worth it.

Blessings and peace to all! -Jared Martin (2025)