Australian country singer Carol Donovan of Dubbo, N.S.W., began singing when she was ten years old. She's enjoyed stardom on the red carpet at the Golden Guitars in Tamworth, she has written with Gina Jeffreys and Rod McCormack, and performed alongside the best in the music industry, including Marcia Hines and Normie Rowe at the Marathon Stadium Carols By Candlelight.

Pause and rewind Carol's life several years backwards to 1996. Recently married to “a wonderful man” named Stephen, her popularity was steadily increasing, but personally she was empty.

“My life was filled with anything I could do to make people accept me,” says Carol.

“My marriage hit some trouble as my musical success increased,” says Carol. “I became so self-absorbed and believed the success was all mine. It wasn't as fulfilling as I hoped because I was enjoying it alone . I felt there was something wrong.”

There was no mystery to Carol about what was wrong: her relationship with God.

“I always felt I had a relationship with God, as I grew up in a Christian home, and I believed that He should be number one, but I had put myself as number one, and God and my family behind.

“I would just miss my daily times with God and knew I wouldn't be able to justify my behaviour to God. I talked to God and cried out when things weren't going right, but I wasn't committed to walking with Him.”

Carol and Stephen had their first son Jye, in 1998. “I went back to singing in pubs and clubs four nights a week and recorded my first CD. Looking back now the lyrics I received at 3 o'clock in the morning were from God but in the light of day I would put my own spin on the messages God was trying to give me.”

Carol's heart changed when her grandmother died suddenly. “Grandma prayed for me every day of my life – she told me all the time. I suddenly had a sinking feeling and wondered, ‘who is going to pray for me now?' I had never had anyone close to me die before. It was an awful feeling of loss.”

Reeling from the emotional and spiritual emptiness she felt, combined with the unhappiness she felt in her career, she cast her burdens on God. “I was sitting at my grandma's wake with all my family and I genuinely committed my life completely to God,” Carol remembers.

Guided by her uncle, Carol accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, believing that He came as a man to earth, died on the cross to redeem her from the judgement her rebellion against God deserved, and rose again, proving that all who trust Him have eternal life.

“I cried and cried and my family cried and cried.”

These were not tears of sadness, but relief.

“I was saved! Woohoo!” exclaims Carol. “I then prayed and asked God to help me teach my son and bring him up in His way. When he was four years old he asked Jesus into his heart and ever since he has been a constant reminder to me of God's undeserved love. When I was pregnant with my second son I was baptised.

“Wanting to be used of God I waited on Him for songs that He wanted me to write. It is amazing reading things that God has penned through me. It is a constant reminder of His power and how He has a use for every one of us.

“My attitude to my family has changed heaps. They are my priority. God blessed me with two beautiful boys. My husband supports bringing up our children in God's way.”

Since surrendering her life to God and performing all the words He gives her she has had considerable success. “I have also been signed by Hardrush Music, a Christian company, who help promote and distribute my music.”

Besides performing with Australia's great artists, one of her biggest highlights was singing at a Christian convention.

“I was asked to be a soloist for a Christian Women's Communicating International convention and I wrote songs for the whole weekend. God used me for His purpose!”

“All the glory belongs to God. He did it.”