I was raised Catholic. I followed the rules and regulations I was taught. Hoping to be the perfect person God wanted me to be, I prayed the way they wanted me to, I went to the "place/Church" they said I needed to be in. All in an effort to do the "right" things according to what my spiritual leaders were teaching me.
I’ve grown from that little girl. My eyes have been opened. My heart has always told me that God is Love. That there is no right or wrong way to worship this Higher Power, but I was conflicted as to how to feel these feelings without being disrespectful to the "God" I had learned about. Many years have been spent in a duality of sorts. The internal emotional argument between heart and head. But one thing held true. Through every insecurity of wondering what was the direction to take on my spiritual path, the feeling that "it just shouldn’t be so hard" would ring loud in my soul.
I knew my soul was searching for answers. I walked down different roads of religious beliefs hoping to find that peace. I took something from each, what ever would resonate with me is what I would keep with. The rest I respectfully acknowledged as meant for someone else’s journey. I think I’ve come along way from that little Catholic girl I once was and have become a woman who loves her relationship with God, a woman who’s "church" is where ever I am. A woman who has found a peace in her soul.
I love the journey. It excites me to learn each and every day. I by no means have finished my spiritual path, but I am much more at ease with what comes my way, knowing that God and I walk together as friends. I can be the child who sees a flower for the first time, or a beautiful sunrise at dawn…a peaceful sunset at dusk…the beauty in watching an ant go about its work…and realize that all these things..are gifts. That each day is to be lived, not in fear of God but in love with God.
My church now is Nature. My rules are my own. My soul is at peace with that. I smile as I think of walking side by side with my God and learning all I can about the Universe and all it has to offer me. I stand with an open heart and a respect for others who are also on this journey. May we all find that peace we seek.
I Seek One
I am neither Christian, nor Jewish nor Muslim. Doing away with duality, I saw the two worlds as One. I seek One, I know One, I see One, and I call One.
………. The Life and Thought of Rumi
Joanne Shenandoah – Prophecy Song "The words say, We are to awaken, stand up, be counted for you are being recognized in the Spirit World"
Dearest Peggy,
I cannot tell you how beautiful this is. It is exactly how I feel, how I am. I was not raised in a church where we had a lot of the doctrines that you had given to you but I always as a child and beyond, had the same thoughts whenever I heard things like, 'God will strike you down, God will get you for that," etc. I would always think, "That makes no sense as God is Love." Until I really came into my spiritual awakening a few years ago I just thought those things but never expressed them or even took the thinking any further.
Now I understand so well that we are all One with God and thus we are all Love. It is so simple and so beautiful. Religion does work for many and that is fine but for me it is too confining. Some don't understand how I can be spiritual and not be "religious". Since we are all one we are all coming from the same place so I can't separate myself from those who think differently. And all religions were based on the same premise. Over time the "powers that be" would change the "rules' to fit what they wanted. To me it is all a form of control. I don't judge anyone who follows those rules and I certainly don't think I am better because of what I think and am.
Thank you so much for posting this Peggy. I do hope many will see it. Your words have inspired me and uplifted me as they are mine too.
Blessings,
Linda
Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I to have thought this from a young age….If God is Love why would he/she want to hurt me if I make a mistake? Made no sense to me. To me.its simple.. God is me..I am God. I will try to be the best representative of Love as I can be so as to respect this Higher Power who has given me so much Joy.
I hope you are doing well today.. Have a great weekend!
Peggy