#GetToKnowMe: My Journey with God and Spirit
Most of my page is going to be the usual, Hauls, fitness..fun things like that. But once a week I’d love to talk about what’s most important and the most interesting part of my life. Which is my relationship with God.
I was born into a Christian household, and my first witness to the power of God was through my mother. Her connection with God was undeniable. She would sing his praises in church, speak in tongues, and pray for others with such passion and devotion. This helped me create my own foundation with God. From a young age, I talked to God, though my conversations were more private. While my mom prayed aloud, I would lay in bed and casually talk to God about my day—about what made me happy, what made me sad, and always asking for protection for my family and myself.
As I grew older, I became more involved in the church. Many of my closest friendships were formed there, and I learned important lessons about life and faith. I truly felt like I had grown up in the church.
But then, when I was about 10, my parents went through a divorce. That was the moment when everything changed—at home and with the church. My family stopped going to church regularly, and my conversations with God began to dwindle. I distracted myself with friends and stayed out of the house as much as possible, always searching for validation outside my home and the church.
One day, I hit a wall and knew I needed to reconnect with God. The external validation I had been chasing no longer fulfilled me, and I felt as though the devil was working overtime to break me. I decided to go back to church. And while the experience was beautiful, something felt different. I wondered if it was me—had I lost my innocence? Had I lost my connection with God forever?
But in time, I realized it wasn’t my connection with God that had faded; it was my connection with *Christianity* that had changed. In my break from the church, my beliefs had evolved. I was in the theater world, surrounded by diverse people with different beliefs, and I knew deep down they were all deserving of goodness and love—just as much as anyone else.
This was when I decided to explore new ways to connect with God.
In my 20s, I was introduced to the Bahá’í faith. I fell in love with its teachings, particularly the concepts of the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, and the oneness of religion. While I don’t identify as Bahá’í, I’m proud to call myself a friend of the Bahá’í faith. (If you’d like to learn more, I highly recommend visiting Bahai.org.)
Even after years of immersing myself in the Bahá’í faith, I realized my personal connection with God was stronger when it was just the two of us—without the filters or frameworks of any particular faith.
As a recovering people-pleaser, I found myself trying to please others more than I was trying to please God. Whether it was seeking validation from the church, my family, or the Bahá’ís, I was prioritizing human expectations over my spiritual relationship. God showed me time and time again that when I prioritize others over Him and even over myself, I’m not living as His child—I’m living as a slave to the expectations of man.
This long journey has taught me that placing religion before God is the same as placing man before God. Religion, while often beautiful and essential for some, can sometimes be used as a tool for control. And though I fully respect and believe in the power of religion—especially for those for whom it’s a cultural or familial tradition—it’s no longer for me. And that’s okay.
My connection with God is stronger than it’s ever been. I listen, I learn, I heal, and I grow. It’s just me and God every day—just me and Source.
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Wherever you are in your religious or spiritual journey, I invite you to nurture your own personal connection with God, Source, Spirit—whatever you call it. It’s okay if your journey looks different than anyone else’s. The key is to listen, to be open, and to grow. Every Sunday, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences in deepening my relationship with Spirit. I hope my insights help you find ways to grow your own relationship with the Divine, in whatever form that takes for you. Let’s learn, heal, and grow together.
#lemon8diarychallenge #SacredSundayReflections #spirtualwellness #embracevulnerability #sundayreset
After sharing my journey, I often get asked, 'But how do you actually do it? How do you connect with God when you're not going to church or following specific rituals?' It's a great question, and one I've wrestled with myself. For me, it boils down to a few key practices that have become my anchors. First, I redefined what 'God' meant to me. Growing up, it was a very specific image. But now, 'Source,' 'Spirit,' 'Divine Love' – these terms feel more expansive and inclusive of my evolving beliefs. It’s about feeling a presence, an energy, a guiding force that is purely loving and non-judgmental. This redefinition was crucial because it freed me from old expectations and allowed me to connect in a way that felt authentic to *me*. Then came the 'listening' part. For years, I thought prayer had to be formal, kneeling, specific words. But now, my 'conversations' with God are much more fluid. Sometimes it's a quiet moment during my morning walk, just observing the beauty around me and feeling gratitude. Other times, it's journaling my thoughts and feelings, almost like a letter to the Divine. I've learned to pay attention to those 'gut feelings' or subtle inspirations – for me, that's often God speaking. It's not always a booming voice; sometimes it's a gentle nudge or a sudden understanding. 'Being open' was another big one. This meant letting go of the need for things to look a certain way. It meant being open to new ideas, new perspectives, even uncomfortable truths. It meant being open to receiving guidance in unexpected forms – through a song, a book, a conversation with a stranger, or even a challenge. It also meant being open to my own imperfections and allowing grace to flow, both to myself and others. It’s about trusting that even when things feel chaotic, there’s a higher order and a loving presence at work. And finally, 'growing.' This isn't a destination; it's a continuous process. For me, growth means consistently seeking ways to align my actions with what I feel is divinely inspired. It’s about choosing kindness, practicing forgiveness (especially for myself!), and striving to be a better human being each day. It’s not about perfection, but about progress. I’ve found that serving others, even in small ways, deeply connects me to this Source energy. Whether it’s offering a listening ear to a friend or simply smiling at a stranger, these acts of love create a powerful spiritual resonance. It’s truly about nurturing that sacred space within you. It’s quiet, it’s personal, and it’s always available. You don’t need a building or a dogma to access it. Just you, your heart, and your intention to connect. I hope my reflections give you some ideas on how to start or deepen your own unique spiritual path. Remember, your journey is yours alone, and that's its greatest strength.
Your story was so heartfelt and inspiring. Thank you for sharing & GOD bless you!❤️