Describe a memory or encounter in which you
considered your faith, religion, spirituality — or lack of — for the first
time.
There’s not
a particular encounter that comes to mind for this. There’s snippets or
snapshots, if you will, where my spirituality began, when it grew, and where I
was unsure of it and its direction in my life.
The beginning was at vacation bible school where one of my teachers
helped a little girl who was raised in church really understand for the first
time what faith is, including the meaning of baptism and “being saved.” There were times of growth, such as during my
years on Kwaj with my spiritual mentor and friend, Kay. There were times of affirmation and renewing of
my spirituality, like the cleansing ceremony in Bali. And, of course, there
have been difficult times, where I didn’t understand where my faith fit in,
such as my college years and the later years of my first marriage. During these times, I wondered if I was
making the right decisions and struggled with my own inadequacies in living up
to the standards set by myself and my faith.
In the end, my spirituality is so ingrained as a part of me that I don’t
have to “think” about it. It’s like
breathing for me, involuntary. I am thankful for it as it has gotten me through
many a trial, and I am not sure where I would be without it. What I like about spirituality and faith the
most though is that it is a completely unique experience for each person. No
one lives it out in exactly the same way; no one suffers through all the same trials
or learns the same lessons in the same times and places. No two people grow the same in their
faith. That’s the best part. We all have
something to learn from each other. We all have unique stories to share. I’d love to hear yours. J
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