BREMEN, Ala. — Cold Springs’ High School’s Hayla Watson collected her diploma in May, and in this interview, she discusses her relationship with God, and how He has helped her overcome a adversity in her life.
“God means everything to me. He has changed my life in the best way possible. God pulled me out of a place where I felt lost and empty. He gave me a purpose when I felt like I didn’t have one and covering me with His unconditional love, even when I felt undeserving of it. Knowing God and having that unbreakable relationship with Him has truly changed the way I view everything around me,” Watson said. “God has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. I was broken, lost, and caught up in worldly habits like judging people, gossiping, holding grudges, and living in ways that didn’t honor Him. I was basing my worth off of worldly things and people when my worth needed to be in God. I wasn’t living for anything that felt like it had real meaning, and deep down, I felt so empty. I used to open my Bible just to read it, and most of the time, it just felt like words on pages, but everything started to change when I truly let Him in, when I started applying His Word to my life, and building a relationship with Him. That’s when God began softening my heart. He taught me how powerful forgiveness really is and how much freedom comes when you finally let go of the pain, the pride, and the need to be right. He replaced bitterness with peace and walls with love. He taught me to stop seeing people through my own hurt and start seeing them through His eyes. I never knew how much I needed His love until I experienced it, and now all I want to do is reflect that same love to others.”
Hayla shared some Bible verses that have helped her out a lot.
“One of my favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 4:32: ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’. This verse reminds me of the power of forgiveness, and how we’re all called to love one another. It’s not always easy to show kindness or to forgive, especially when we’ve been hurt, but God never asked us to do it alone. He gave us the perfect example through Jesus, who forgave us when we didn’t deserve it. That same grace calls us to love others with compassion, to let go of bitterness, and to live with open hearts. Forgiveness brings freedom, and love brings healing. Another verse that means so much to me is Isaiah 43:2: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze’. It’s a promise that, no matter what I face, God is right there in the middle of it with me. Through every storm, every battle, and every heartbreak, He stays faithful. His love isn’t just something we reflect. It’s something that carries us through life and through everything we do.”
Hayla added,
“The last verse is 1 Corinthians 9:24: ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize’. This verse means a lot to me, because it reminds me to live with purpose and to give my all in my walk with God every day. Life can feel overwhelming and full of distractions, and there are definitely moments where I feel like giving up, but this verse encourages me to keep going and stay focused on what really matters. It reminds me that I’m not just going through the motions. I’m running toward something eternal. It challenges me to live fully for God, to stay committed, even when it’s tough, and to remember that everything I do should reflect Him.”
Hayla wants to help people of all ages find God and wants to be a role model for younger kids.
“I truly believe that sharing God’s word is the most important thing you can do for anyone, no matter how old they are. God doesn’t bring people into your life by accident. Every person you meet is part of a bigger plan. You have a purpose in your own life, but you also have a purpose in someone else’s, and that’s a powerful thing. It’s such a beautiful gift to be able to plant a seed of faith and show someone what the unconditional love of Jesus looks like. Whether you’re talking to a kid, a teen, or an adult, just being that light for someone can make a big difference in their life,” Watson said. “I’ve always had a strong love for kids, and being a Godly role model for them means so much to me. Kids are always watching, even when you don’t realize it, and the way you live can really shape how they see faith and who Jesus is. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing them love, kindness, and what it looks like to walk with God. In a world that pulls them in so many directions, I just want to be someone who points them to the truth and reminds them they’re never alone. You never know if you’ll be the only person in their early years who will talk to them about God, so your words, actions, and example might be the closest they ever come to hearing the truth of His Word. That moment could be life-changing for them. It might be what sparks something in their heart and inspires them to want to know more, to grow in their own faith, and maybe even one day, share God’s love with others too.”
She talked about a few of her own Godly role models that feels blessed to have in her life, and even though she hasn’t been on a mission yet, Hayla was still able to find a place where she could share her faith.
“I’ve always looked up to a few people in my life who truly reflect God’s love in everything they do. Two of my friends, Avery Gerstman and Kenady Graves, have always been such strong role models to me. They shine a light wherever they go, and stay positive and kind, no matter what’s going on around them. I also really admire my sister, Heaven. No matter what she’s facing, she always turns to God, and relies on the power of prayer, which has really inspired me in my own walk with Him. There’s also someone whose mom has made a big impact on my life. She showed me just how powerful prayer can be within a family and how important it is to love others the way God loves us. These people have helped shape the way I want to live out my faith and be a light to others too.”
Hayla added,
“Even though I haven’t been on a mission trip, I’ve still found places where I could share my faith. One of those places was my high school cross-country team. It was always a space where I felt welcomed and comfortable being open about my relationship with God. During cross-country camp my senior year, we all sat in a cabin and started sharing our goals. That conversation naturally led into talking about our faith in God. It was one of those moments that reminded me how important it is to have faithful friendships, friends who encourage you, pray for you, and grow together in faith. I’m really looking forward to finding more opportunities like that in the future, especially through missions.”
Hayla gave some advice to anyone who might be struggling to have a relationship with God.
“I would remind them that God doesn’t need you to be perfect. He just wants you to be willing and believe in Him. God wants a relationship with you. He wants to be your friend and walk with you through both the hard times and the good times. Like 1 Peter 4:8 says, ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins’, which shows that God’s love is bigger than our mistakes, and He’s with you every step of the way. He also calls us to love others as He loves us. Having Godly role models around you can be really helpful too. They can be there to answer any questions you may have and guide you as you start your walk of faith. Surround yourself with people who know and love God, and that support will make the biggest difference.”
Hayla dealt with some really tough times during her high school days, and turning to God was a huge part of how she got through that adversity.
“One of the biggest turning points in my life was when I realized I was heading down the wrong path. I was battling anxiety and constantly feeling like I wasn’t good enough for my friends, my coaches, or even myself. The pressure to be perfect in school and sports became overwhelming, and I felt completely alone. That’s when I turned to God, and He completely changed my life around. He gave me peace, direction, and a sense of purpose I had never felt before. I started cutting out the things that were adding unnecessary stress, and when I truly accepted God’s forgiveness, all the bitterness I had been holding onto slowly turned into love. Another part of my journey was finding faithful friends. Meeting Macie Huffstutler helped me more than I can even explain, and she still does. She constantly reminds me of the promises God has made, and we’ve helped each other grow in our faith so much. Having someone like that beside me has shown me how powerful Godly friendships really are. Since then, I’ve become someone who looks for the good in every moment and does everything I can to love others the way God has loved me.”
Hayla loves writing in her prayer journal and thanks God for everything that He has done in her life. She has taken away so much during her walk with God so far.
“One Godly habit I simply cherish is writing in my prayer journal in the morning and at night. I like to start my day by simply thanking God for waking me up and giving me another chance to spread His love. I also make it a point to thank Him for all the blessings in my life. It’s easy to get caught up in the day and forget, but the truth is, we’re often living in the middle of prayers we once prayed for. Remembering that helps me stay grateful and reminds me how blessed I am and who I live for each day,” she said. “During my walk of faith so far, I’ve learned that God’s timing is so much greater than mine, and sometimes, He calls you to wait, even when it’s hard to understand in the moment. That waiting has taught me patience, trust, and how to completely surrender. I’ve also seen how God can completely transform your heart. He’s opened mine to forgiveness in ways I never thought possible, and through that, I’ve learned how powerful love can be when it comes from Him. Forgiving others has lifted so much bitterness from my heart and replaced it with peace and compassion. My journey has shown me that God is always working, even in the silence, and that He truly does heal and restore even the things you believe to be too far gone.”
Copyright 2025 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
