belief

While I am a religious person and hold fast to my beliefs; I do not challenge other people's beliefs, judge them on what they do or don't believe and do not preach. Why do I believe, you ask - because it gives me comfort that there is a higher being that is there guiding me along the way especially when things get tough.
I believe that the church helped raise me, and that the church helped make me who I am. Although I believe this, I have often had my doubts and questions about the church and parts of the bible.
Lucky for me, my church is understanding and does not frown upon such feelings.
The church goes beyond being a building of worship... one of my favourite hyms growing up goes 'I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together," and it is true. The people that make up the church as a whole helped make me who I am today. They have been my cheerleaders all through my childhood, teenage years and on. They send cards of congratulations when good things happen and they are there to lean on when stuff goes wrong.
The older ladies have become like grandmothers, often closer than my own grandmothers. They have watched me grow up and have been there for many of the monumental milestones along the way.
I believe and no one can take that from me. Even in my darkest days, I have had my beliefs and my faith and that has helped me pull through.