Growing With God Pt. 1: “Chronicles of a Young Black Explorer” allows Matthew Preston Smith (Author) to share his life journey in letters and chronicles as a young black man and explorer. He grew up as a preacher's eldest son who experienced shame, guilt, rejection, loss, hurt, pain, disappointment, doubt, difficulty, and other identity struggles. In Matthew’s walk with God, he learned important lessons from these hard moments and empowers readers to embrace vulnerability, honesty, trust, resilience, wholeness, and reflection. It is Matthew’s desire to convey to young people (specifically those individuals ages 13 to 29) that our life journey and relationship with God is not easy but it is worthwhile if we take steps to grow with Him daily.