Only You Can Be You.

Great topic! I am really glad you brought it up. Religion was never an important thing in my life growing up. My family did not go to church regularly, during holidays of course but not weekly. Nonetheless, my parents still raised us with christian values. For example, always doing the right thing, treating people with respect and lastly to always put others needs before your own. I am no saint and I definitely forgot those morals a few times, because doesn't everybody lose sight of the goal every once in awhile? Regardless, those goals are still things I strive daily to achieve. The day I truly found my religion was in a scenario that was not necessarily a shining moment for me. As quirky as it sounds, this happened at the end of a break up. During this devastating and painful time for me, an old friend of mine gave me some staggering advice that really inspired me. She said, "Trust in God. He has a plan for you. Don't dwell on the past because God has someone far greater waiting for you; a person meant only for you." That night I went home and prayed for the first time in years. I asked God to give me strength to get through this terrible time and to allow it to come easy, that I was ready for a break and some happiness back into my life. It wasn't until 2 months later during an Easter Sunday sermon that things really hit home. The pastor was talking about the grace of God and the things he can lead you to achieve. I immediately started to tear up, something began to come over me, a feeling i've never felt before. I realized at that moment that it was He who gave me strength and the willpower to overcome such a hurdle, making it almost effortless. I had no more questions, I believed whole-heartedly in His Grace and the Power He has on me and my life. As for the first part of your question- Do I really believe He has given me everything and put me where I am today? Absolutely. I've recently starting reading a book called Only You Can Be You By Erik Rees. It is a 21 day challenge that teaches you how to make your life count. You read a chapter every day (usually 7-10 pages) and then reflect in a journal of some sort. This book has really put things into perspective for me. It teaches you to surrender your life to God, to serve others passionately, and lastly to live your life with purpose. Rees brings up an excellent point. You are unique, you are a Master-designed, handcrafted original. When you are gone, there will not be another you. The central message of this book is to realize that you were put here to do something special for God. He has given you one lifetime, one moment, as it were, to accomplish that task. If you miss it, the world will go on...but you will have missed your reason for living. With this new realization, I have to credit everything I have accomplished so far in my short 19 years here on Earth to Him. I know everything I have been through, triumph, failure, happiness, pain and experience was planned before I was even placed here. These were the things that were going to shape me into the person I am supposed to be. I couldn't be more thankful for those experiences, though I wasn't at the time, I know that everything happens for a reason. My life has forever changed. I will always have a relationship with God from this day forward. I hope you do as well.