November 5, 2012

what i've realized.

pretty.

I've realized that in all my blogging posts (seriously, Blogger tells me there's like 400+ posts), I've never shared a lot about my faith and relationship with Jesus.

Like the history, the background, that kind of stuff.

I think it's because I never really thought of it as something that was storytelling-worthy. Which is not to say that I don't value my life story, but more to the I-don't-think-anyone-will-think-this-is-interesting kind of thinking.

But everyone has a story, and I feel like this is something that I should tell. To encourage you to realize that while you may think your story is boring, or terrible, or embarrassing, it's your story. It's shaped who you are, and without it, you wouldn't be you.

So here's mine. In all its wordy-glory. I've also scattered in a few photos + wise words everyone should read.

be yourself.

I was raised (and still live with) an amazing family. We're pretty close. Close enough to disagree (and voice our opinions!) but close enough to truly enjoy each other's company on a Friday night. For the most part, that is.

We're all Christians (believers, Jesus lovers, take your pick). We go to church almost every Sunday (unless we're sick). We've even found churches to go to when we're traveling. I grew up knowing that church was important. Both my parents taught (and still do) Sunday School. That also meant that I went with them every Sunday. My dad had a rule that if we were sick and stayed home from church, then we weren't allowed to play with friends after church. And seeing that my best friends lived right across the street, staying home from church rarely happened.

I was also the girl who memorized her verses, brought her Bible (with a purple book cover and tabs for each book), and made sure her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, too.

through.

But I didn't really connect the songs I was singing (i.e. Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine, and I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, etc.), the verses I was memorizing, and the Bible stories I was learning with my life. Maybe it was because I was young, maybe it was because my attention was more focused on the singing and Bible craft part, I'm not sure. But that was how I lived my life.

I had my Sunday life and then my rest-of-the-week-life. As a family, we did devotions, said prayers and the like, but I still didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus. I had the my-parents-believe-so-I-believe kind of thing.

It wasn't until I graduated from high school (or maybe a little before then) that something clicked (and sadly, I don't remember what it was). I was getting ready for college, and my dad gave me a devotion book for part of my graduation present.

Around that time, I read through the entire Bible on my own for the very first time. I also started writing and journaling (more on that here) and found that that was the best way for me to say my prayers each night. I wasn't falling asleep while I was praying (true story) and I felt like I could see myself grow and change as well.

brave.

And now, I feel like I have my own relationship. I feel more grown-up, and more like a true Christian. A true believer, and a true Jesus lover.

But I'm not the perfect Christian. I still struggle with giving my life to Him at all times. I struggle with worrying about money and giving it generously. And I struggle with meeting new people + showing others His love, too.

But I know that I wasn't made to be perfect. I was made to be imperfect so I could improve and have something to strive for. And striving towards a Jesus-like-life is what I'm going to do.

14 comments

  1. aw, thanks for sharing your testimony! such a great testament to God's grace, and how He brings people to Himself in so many different, amazing ways. :)

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    1. Thanks for reading it! And yes, it is always amazing to see how God works in each of us. :)

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  2. a life marked by God's grace...thank you for sharing your story.

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    1. And thank you for reading through it all! I can be kind of wordy (obviously) so I wasn't sure how many people would read the entire thing. ;)

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  3. Thanks for sharing girl! Super encouraging always to read another Sister in Christ story! :) I had to laugh though, our families sounds super similar! I have a feeling our dads would get along great. The part about the not playing with friends or stuff if you stayed home from church sick...yep same rule at mi casa too! :)

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    1. Thanks for reading it!

      And I bet our dads would get along really well! I always thought my family was the only one had that rule (since none of my friends did back then). But I'm glad that I wasn't the only one like that! :)

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    2. I swore I was the only one that had that rule too!!! Great dads think alike :)

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    3. I know, right? Great dads really do think alike!

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  4. I love this post, and I can relate to much of what you wrote. I'm reading a book right now that I think you would like, it's called Grace for the Good Girl. http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Good-Girl-Letting-Try-Hard/dp/0800719840

    Thanks for reading my blog and for commenting. Wishing you all the best in 2013!

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    1. Thank you for the book recommendation and for stopping by! I've actually heard of Grace for the Good Girl but never took the time to check it out. I'll definitely have to add it to my book list now. :)

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  5. Thanks for sharing your story. Our God works amazingly to create such beautiful pictures of his grace.

    Elena
    elle-alice.blogspot.com

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    1. You are very welcome. I love reading these kinds of posts so I knew it was about time for me to write my own! And you are right, God does work in amazing ways and He really is a wonderful Creator, too. :)

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  6. Wow! What a transformation! I am so glad that you realized your faith wasn't really yours and sought God to change that! I don't know very many people who grew up in such strong Christian homes. That part of your story was very refreshing to read!!! I love hearing about families who are blessed with fathers who LOVE God. :)

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    1. I completely agree! I used to think that I didn't have a very interesting testimony (okay, sometimes I STILL don't) but it's amazing to look back and see how much I've grown in my relationship with Jesus. I am definitely (definitely!) blessed to have grown up in such a God-centered family and it really affects how I view relationships and families and my own future family, too!

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