“I don’t need fame, no one to know my name. At the end of the day, Lord, I pray, I have a life that’s good. Two arms around me, heaven to ground me, and a family that always calls me home.”  – Nashville

I grew up in a christian home.

The kind that went to church (almost) every sunday, attending sunday school throughout my childhood and listening to the sermon with my mom as I got older. But I’ve always wondered – what if I hadn’t been raised by parents with faith? What if I was raised in an agnostic home and never was exposed to religion?

It seems that so often our religious beliefs are guided by whom we were raised and it becomes so much of who we are that we never question it. I sometimes think it would be easier to know that I had a strong, meaningful relationship with God, had I found him “on my own” and not been led in that direction as a child. Then again, what if no one led me to him; or I was so set in my ways, being raised in a home without religion, that I was not open to learning more?

I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to have an open mind, a truly open mind, about God, if I were raised in a home of disbelievers. That is why, I’m so incredibly thankful that I was led “the easy way.” Though some may question how strong my faith is, I’ve known Jesus my whole life and could never imagine a world without him. Not because it makes me a “good person”. Not because I need to believe in a higher power so that I don’t fear death or I wouldn’t be able to face the challenges in life without him. Honestly, believing in a higher power is just about knowing there is something greater out there; something bigger than all of us.

Having a strong faith does not necessarily mean going to church, being a Republican, or always doing the right thing and being a model citizen. To me, it’s about trusting that someone out there is watching out for you, and no matter what is thrown your way, he is going to always be there in the end. People often get frustrated when they hear someone say, “I just trust that God will take care of me.” While I understand that there are extremes to this and one cannot simply throw away all care and control over their life, leaving it to God, there is a certain comfort in knowing that someone is out there. He is going to pick you up when you fall down and remind you how many wonderful things there are in the world still left for you to experience. He is going to show you that tomorrow will be a better day.

So, in thinking about your own experience with faith, please don’t shut God out because of what you have heard from others. Or harmful words that have been spoken by “Christians.” We are all human, and we all make mistakes. But He – God – loves everyone. Humans are imperfect, but He is greater than us all. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that God Is Love.