A Home Within, L.S.

A Home Within, L.S.

The most beautiful people I've ever met are from the local church. They give me hope and touch my heart in each moment I share with them. I walk away with laughter in my stomach, warmth in my heart, a tad bit more wisdom in my mind and a smile that comes from deep within my soul because for a short time, I've seen the truest goodness this world can possess. These people reflect Christ in their actions, words and expressions. They are beautiful because they live according to His words and not according to the problems that every person faces.

I was born a Christian in name; but as I grew up, my conscience died a little more each year. For a long time, I was dead inside. I lied to everyone, especially to those closest to me. It was not until the last few years that I realized that my way of doing things didn't work, never would work. Desperate and suffocating, I turned to the Lord not on my own, but not forced to either. Instead, I saw that for some people, trusting and loving Him was the only way to survive in this world.

To feel this revelation and to feel His love in a room full of people who have entrusted everything to His is to learn that I will never be perfect in my eyes, that I am not capable of a true, unselfish love and that I will always make mistakes. It is to know that as long as I trust in the Lord, I will change for the better.

It is a reality akin to true love--one can only know it by experiencing it. When I did, my life changed. Few see it, but I am happier. I can laugh out loud. “Me” is no longer the focus of my life and I don't dwell on my mistakes. The process is an ongoing one, with failures every day, all the time. But now I always have a friend to count on. I always have a place to turn.