A Vision of Faith

As young children we are taught many things, some good, some bad, some happy some sad. Nonetheless, we say that they are [were] all memorable. We remember things like look both ways before crossing, don't forget to brush and other silly parental things. Of everything, however, it seems to me the most important of our lessons became either obsolete or indifferent, what I speak of is known as hope and faith.

Many of us can remember, when we were younger, being forced, rather early, to get up for church on Sunday mornings. For many of us our only thought was for either more sleep or the Sunday morning cartoons that we were missing. Nevertheless, you dragged yourself out of bed and off to church, by no choice of your own. As you got older it became your choice. Some choose to go, some not; consequently it was still your choice.

This is a very important step in child rearing. It proves that the parents have understood the growth process and are ready to relinquish certain decisions based problems to their children. Many of us are careless in our first attempts and grow to accept the responsibility. Others of us remain reckless in our decisions, never clearly looking at the repercussions.

In my eyes, the rules, decisions, and choices of your young life affect your adult life more than many of us care to know. Because we were taught to be kind, it becomes an instant reflex to extend our hands as a gesture of kindness to a new person or one in distress. In this same light I view the decision of God and the church in my life.

In no way am I a religious fanatic. I just see my decision as having a crucial impact on the way of life I have chosen. By going to church, I have accepted God into an active part of my life. As I look at my surroundings and the things going on around me, I am overly delighted with the decision that I have made.

For me God is a guiding light. He symbolizes destination yet a journey of my own choice, constriction yet free will, determination. For many people these tendencies are constricting and tedious. I find them quite comforting.

The idea of knowing my life is predestined is not a very comforting one but knowing that it is my choice how and when I will get there softens the blow. I am enthralled with just wondering how this great, omniscient being thinks. I am free yet I am not. Yet for all I do, I can be forgiven just by asking. I strive to return to my origin?

I see God so like us. Confident yet unsure, optimistic yet pessimistic, kind, caring, and sensitive and yet one with such bad temperament. In this way he is all too human for his spiritual being yet isn't that what makes us human. I believe in the human spirit. God gave it to us as a sign of hope always. Many times however, our spirits can be severed. I don't say broken because it takes a great amount of pain and sorrow to actually break the spirit. It is our lack of faith that causes the broken spirit and I won't allow mine to be broken. Many times I have felt so lost and desolate, my severed spirit and me. I've cried for days on end but I have continued for I, refuse to be stopped. I will strive for what I want, for what God wants.

All of these feelings that I have expressed are from my teachings of a merciful, loving, and forgiving God. I was taught this as a child. I was taught to pray every night. I began praying for myself as a child and now I pray for all. I pray for us all to one day understand God's love. Even if you do not believe in God I think you can understand it by the love of those around you. Loving yourself and others is to love God. Using your own gifts to help others is thanking and praising God. So always remember to Brush your teeth before going to bed, Share, Be Kind, Flush, and Pray.