I grew up Catholic. I went to Mass pretty regularly, my Dad never missed 8 am Mass, but only because I “had” to. It wasn’t until I went off to college that I began to understand “faith” and “religion.” Matters of faith were very “private” and just not discussed.
I went to Houston Baptist University…pretty eye-opening for a good Catholic girl who was not allowed to step foot in another church! Needless to say, I learned quite a bit. That’s when I began to really think about my faith.
It’s not that I didn’t ever believe in Jesus Christ, I just started to wonder why I did what I did.
What did the saints really stand for? Why did everyone pray to Mary? I never understood the rosary…or confession. No one ever made me go to confession, so what was the big deal and why did Catholics do that?
Long story short, I left the Catholic church almost ten years ago. (Don’t get me wrong…I have nothing against Catholics, it’s just was not where I belonged).
Being Catholic was so ingrained in me (now I see that it was mainly out of obligation) and leaving the church was huge. Sometimes I still struggle with the fact that I left the church.
Some members of my family gave me a very difficult time and to this day I think they believe I play a tambourine (with ribbons) and yell “Jesus Saves” every chance I get.
They just don’t get it. I was looking for something more than going through the motions.
Now that I am in Seminary (taking a United Methodist Doctrine class) I am truly understanding what the church I belong to believes. This class has really opened my eyes and made me truly consider my beliefs (and put words to those beliefs).
I am excited! Sometimes I feel like a kid on Christmas morning when I understand a concept and when I read in the United Methodist Book of Discipline what our church believes and how aligned I am with those beliefs. It’s like I am confirmed in what I believe and I know for a fact that I am where I am supposed to be.
Do you know what your faith tradition believes?
Or do you simply attend out of obligation because your spouse is a member that was how you were raised or because the church is in the neighborhood?
Why do you attend your church?
Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Friday’s!
2. grocery shopping
3. Spring Break
4. the ending of the school quarter
5. binders
