Responding to my good friend T on faith….
Tam, thank you for the inspiration to blog, and to step out and be me.
I invited Christ into my heart at the age of four. I got down on my knees on the cold tile floor, folded my hands, and repeated the “sinner’s prayer”. I remember that my Sunday school teacher had bad breath, but I did get a certificate. I did it because my dad told me that at some point I would invite Jesus into my heart, and that I could do it when I was ready. And that if I didn’t, I would go to hell. That was really good motivation:– 
So then it became about heaven or hell. I was afraid of going to hell, so becoming a Christian seemed the right thing to do. It gave me a sense of peace. My faith became my own through a series of necessary disillusionments: I have put my faith in my parent’s faith, which at some point was not enough. I have put faith in my pastor and church, which disappointed me. People will. I have put my faith in my own abilities and achievments, which led to burn out. It wasn’t until I came to the end of me, that I began to really put my faith, as small as is was, in Him and Him alone. I realized that God was ok with my lack of faith. I began to invite Him into the voids and the places I was empty. I asked Him to make Himself real to me.
I want my faith to encourage those around me. It is about connecting with people even in our differences. God cares about us loving Him, and loving people. If my faith sends a different message than that, then I am embarrassed to call myself a Christ follower.
Keep writing….
“It is about connecting with people even in our differences. God cares about us loving Him, and loving people. If my faith sends a different message than that, then I am embarrassed to call myself a Christ follower.”
that right there sums everything up perfectly!
Love God – Love others. Done!
Awesome Storie!
Love you!
Tam
So glad you stopped by.
would love your thoughts here!
Since this is my first comment on your blog, I thought I would read your first post. It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey so far, going from growing up WITH Christianity to growing up IN Christianity. To be honest, I never really understood that about people who come from Christian homes until now. (I’m a little slow. Just ask Tam.) That being said, I hope you’ll keep writing. You may not always realize just how many people read your blog as it continues to grow, but, please, plant the seeds of your words in faith that The Father will use them to shape His children.
TNE:
Thank you for coming by. I appreciate your words of encouragement, and love the metephor of planting seeds. I use that often! I love to garden, and have often reminded my girls that when you plant a seed, you don’t sit there and wait for it to sprout… (well, I did when I as a kid:-) but you move on, not forgetting to water it of course. But you don’t pull up a chair and wait! My Heavenly Father reminds me that yes, we plant the seeds, but HE is responsible for the harvest. Thank you again for your encouragement. It hit home!
You’re very welcome.