How I Know The Nature of God
At some point in life, we ask big questions. We wonder big wonders. And probably the biggest wonder outside of whether or not there is a God or a higher power in our world is the question of who He is and how He is. I had this question years ago, when life was far from good. My faith was shaken pretty heavily, and a friend offered to take me to a meeting she had with a nun one afternoon. Our conversation revolved around the nature of God: was He some big, scary deity in the sky laughing at us, or someone scowling down waiting to punish us, or something entirely different from either of these things? Around the same time, a different friend asked me what I believed about God and why. At the time, I really didn't know. At the time, I was also somewhat irked. Why did all my friends want to ask such big, boding questions about all of this? Why couldn't we just watch Netflix and go to brunch like regular people?
I wrangled with my faith and the core of my beliefs for a long while after both of these conversations. I guess in some ways, I still am, but not in the same ways as I was then. I don't question the existence of God or a higher power. I don't think He's up there laughing at us or waiting to bring down the hammer, either. (Thor joke, anyone?) I believe He is love because I see Him in those that love me. I see them in friends who have stuck by me when I was at the lowest of my lows. I see Him in family who call just to say hi and video-chat with me. I see Him in my students who bring me joy every single day. I see Him in the opportunities I've had and the people who helped make them happen. No matter what's been thrown my way, I've never been without someone in my corner to cheer me on, or waiting at the finish line to dust me off.
Right now, it's graduation season. So many students are about to start the rest of their lives. My degree's been sitting on the piano for a few months now, but I get to walk with my friends who've been there from day one. Friends that I'm convinced God placed on my path for a reason. I get to celebrate with them as we embark on whatever's lying ahead of us.
This post is to say thank you to family, and friends both past, present, new and old--thank you for showing me that there is love and good in the world.
Love and light,
Reina M
