Day 13: Something that means a lot to me

MY FAITH
This is an old note that I had posted on facebook almost a year and a half ago. I am reposting it here because it talks about the things that matter most to me in this life; kindness, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and most of all, LOVE.

You know, I really don't care for "religion" in a legalistic sense. Christianity is not so much a religion either. Not for me. It’s a way of life, and Christianity (living in a Christ like way) looks a lot of different ways for a lot of different people. Of course Christians should all be kind, forgiving, humble, gentle...but as far as how we worship, what we look like, our attitudes and even our beliefs, we vary. We don't all have gray hair, glasses, a long skirt, and drive around in a mini van saying "God bless you". That is what's beautiful; we are all so very different, but all united through LOVE.

I have heard plenty of people give the popular argument that Christians are hypocrites, and that's true (sometimes). BUT the difference between Christians and non Christians is that we are simply striving to be like Christ. Let me make one thing clear; WE FALL SHORT. We will disappoint ourselves, our friends, and our God. Even so, our God loves us and accepts that we are flawed as mankind.

I work with some people who know I'm a Christian and yet hear me when I slip up and say something bad about a customer or know about some huge mistakes I've made. I hope by working with me they see not that Christians are hypocrites, but that we are simply like every one else, just trying to do right in an imperfect world.

Since my beautiful baby girl was born three and a half months ago I have learned so much about God's love for us. His love is unconditional. Sure, I knew that because I had heard it in church a lot. However, I didn't know what unconditional love was. I didn't even love my husband unconditionally because when he would make me mad I would treat him horribly. (He is much better at unconditional love than I am!) Now I am trying to love him unconditionally in the same way I love my daughter and in the same way our God loves us. Nothing my daughter does, not anything, could ever make me stop loving her. She could become a prostitute, a murderer, a thief, wouldn't matter...my love for her would not change. I would be disappointed in her, sure, BUT only because I want happiness for her and I know those particular life choices would only lead to heartbreak. That is, I believe, the same way God feels about us.

I try to encourage my coworkers, friends, and family with being positive, kind, humble, and gentle, but in reality I fall so very short on most days. I know that since I am claiming the title of being a Christian, I need to work very, very hard to properly represent my loving Father. I suck at this, representing God that is. But but but, I’m striving.

I watched Angels and Demons last night and there was a quote I really liked, "Religion is flawed because man is flawed". And this is true. Religion is flawed, God is not.

So as Christians it is not our place to judge the world or the people in it. It is not our job to fix the world either (although I wish I could). Our job is simply to live in a broken world and show others what God's grace looks like. One day I hope when people look at me, He is all they see