My journey reverting to Islam - a personal story

Assalamu alaikum, This might be a long post but I hope you’ll read a bit :) I reverted to Islam two years ago. I grew up Christian for 41 years, went to church a lot as a child, but always felt something was missing. I live in Austria, which has a mix of cultures and many Muslims from Turkey, Syria, Bosnia or Albania. I used to wonder why Muslim people I met felt so different - even when I traveled to Turkey, Tunisia, and Egypt. Two years ago I visited Bali, Indonesia. It’s mostly Hindu, but many Muslims work there. A Lebanese friend of mine lived there and we celebrated my birthday. I asked him where to find places with music and dancing (I know some consider music haram, but I have my own history with it - I wear hearing aids and music helped me learn about Islam and other knowledge, not everything is bad). I went to a club but didn’t like it. As I was leaving, I tried to take selfies and a Muslim woman offered to help with the pictures. That conversation started it all. Because she was Muslim we talked a lot about Islam and her culture. I asked why people in Indonesia are so friendly - why strangers start conversations and make you feel not alone. She suggested I read the Qur’an. Back in Austria I looked for good translations and started reading. I’m not joking: after three pages I felt something I had been searching for. I had read the Bible many times but what I’d been missing was the certainty to trust what was written. From then on I read a few verses daily and kept in touch with that woman. She still guides me when I have questions, mashallah. I feel very lucky I didn’t have to do this alone. The most amazing thing is that whenever I read the Qur’an, Allah would show signs to confirm it - small things, habits, stories - that made me feel He was with me. After months of this I told the woman I wanted to revert. She told me to think carefully, so I did. Six months later I went back to Bali and asked her to help me find a mosque for shahada. I wanted it to be meaningful, not something casual. She arranged a small mosque and the imam agreed to speak in English. That Friday night the mosque was full. The imam explained in Indonesian and then in English why I wanted to revert. When I said the shahada I felt an overwhelming power - it was like Allah washed away my sins and removed the whispering of shaytan. I started crying and the imam held my hand. Every person there congratulated me - that human warmth I hadn’t experienced in Christianity. My family didn’t all react well. My mum said I couldn’t celebrate Christmas, my father understood, one brother stopped contact, another didn’t speak to me for 1.5 years. I reminded myself it was a test from Allah and practiced sabr. Over time my mum came around; she respects me and now doesn’t cook pork or give me wine, and I respect her faith too. Meeting other Muslims often moves them to tears when they hear I’m a revert; they see it as a blessing. My advice: don’t be shy - share your story. Many born-Muslims have drifted and connecting with a revert can bring them back on track. Let them ask questions and feel included. At work the Muslim women treat me like family - like an aunty or sister would treat someone dear. Making them happy, even for a moment, means so much to me. I talk to Allah not just in formal prayers but all day. I say mashaAllah often and try to appreciate every little blessing or warning. I used to talk to God as a Christian, but since shahada the confirmations have increased. Never stop believing. Never hesitate to ask Allah for guidance, brothers and sisters. Sabr - Allah is with those who are patient. And be good to women - those who are kind to women are among the best believers. Treat your family well; they are part of why we are here. Do charity whenever you can. Islam taught me to give in small ways: help an elderly person across the street, buy bread for someone in need, offer food to rice workers in Indonesia, or my favorite - pack a suitcase of old clothes for hardworking elderly women building houses. Their faces when they receive such gifts are priceless. Nothing makes me happier than charity. That’s my story. If you read this all the way, alhamdulillah. Feel free to ask me anything - I’ll try to be here for you.