Some of us who were raised in a good home tend to view the world as okay, with little problems, or, at least, we used to see the world that way. The world isn’t that simple. You can’t think everyone knows the things you talk about or care about similar things. I’ve been around awhile, and I know that many people do not have a clue as to how the Christian really thinks and/or acts. Universities and high-up places are pretty much set against the way of Christian thought.

I Was Running On Empty

Christians have a variety of thoughts and a variety of ways they get their thoughts across to other people. You can probably tell by my writing that I am fairly traditional in my faith and experiences. But there was a time a few years back when I let my faith and experiences go and put it all up in front of God and said I wanted true truth from Him, not the church’s truth. I wasn’t against the church but I wanted to know what He wanted to show me. Nothing more and nothing less. That’s when my life turned and became truly different.

I looked the same. I went to the same church. I acted mainly the same. I was different, though. I started reading books outside of my protestant beliefs, not outside the faith but outside my firmly held beliefs. I was on a walk of faith. I told God He could show me what He wanted me to read, That was an amazing undertaking. I gobbled up reading. Books came my way via untraditional ways. Anglican writers, Catholic writers, the prior Pope, the deeper books of faith kept coming and I kept reading. I didn’t know where I was going to end up (and I started dating an Anglican who is now a priest). I was worried my family would think I’d left the faith, but I carried on. Frankly, I was somewhat nervous, but I was determined.

He Got My Attention

God was also taking me on a personal journey to discover what really mattered in my faith journey. I wasn’t telling anyone. They might get alarmed, since I didn’t know where I was going to end up. The books began piling up. I wanted to know more than I had been taught. I became amazed. Chesterton spoke clearly. Merton spoke deeply and fluidly. St. John of the Cross made me weep. I read ferociously. I was single by then and was eager to find my way. God took my eagerness and put into me truth in a new way. Most of my understandings changed little, but I came to realize that my beliefs were way to small and rigid.

I’m thankful God opened my eyes to the beauty around me. How do I view people now? Do they seek God for answers? Do they have a hunger for God? Do they love God? Is their walk of faith, in particular, their walk with God, meaningful, special, precious, heart-expanding, and real? People need Jesus. People need the Lord. God reveals himself to people who want to know Him, not just about Him. If you find Jesus in this way, you will be changed. God is your close friend. Until He is your closest friend I don’t believe you know Him as your Enough. He waits for us until we are ready to seek to find Him as our closest, dearest, and most worthy friend.

God Changed Me In A New Way

No one could have told me years ago that God would become as real as He has to me. My path was strewn with clutter, My heart was heavy. I’d tried so hard to be the right type of person but I failed miserably. For many years I tried. A lot of good happened those years. Yet I hadn’t found the key to unlock the door. I remember when it started, my husband had left me and my job was terminated. I sat on the couch and lighted a candle on the table before me. I surrendered it all to the Lord. I gave it all up. Every last bit. And asked Him to teach me whatever He wanted to teach me. I meant it and my tears intermingled with my words. I still suffered. Life was still hard. But I was open more than I had ever been, and God knew it. My journey to health and wholeness started that day and will continue for the rest of my life. I’m so glad. I’m so thankful.