As Long as I can Remember - Richard Price
For as long as I can
remember I have felt confused about my faith. I have gone from one church
to another, from one religion to another. Always looking, but never finding
what I was looking for. I reached a point where I became so disgruntled
with churches, that I thought I would just go on about my business and find
salvation in my own time and in my own way. Like many I thought I could do
it on my own.
I have looked a long time for a church I felt comfortable with and more
importantly, one I am happy to attend. I have visited with many different
religions throughout my search. I have always found other religious
institutions lacking or even worse, hypocritical. I have visited many
churches that preach brotherhood and love of your neighbor, but do not go
beyond their own doors when it comes time to help out. I have several
friends who are of the Catholic faith. I have them to thank for bringing me
to the church. I also thank God for bringing them into my life. I was
truly lost until they came into my life. One of those is my fiancée,
Kerry. Kerry has been a great influence in my life. She is a devout
Catholic and is very happy that I want to share the Catholic faith with
her. I must confess, I started the classes for her, but now I go for
myself. I have found many new friends during my time in RCIA. I now look
forward going to church and class to see these new friends, who also are on
journeys of their own.
The first time I set foot in a Catholic Church was with my Catholic
friends. The moment I entered the church I felt very comfortable and at
ease. I also felt the presence of the Lord. I was made to feel very
comfortable and welcome. I knew at that time I wanted to join the church,
but was not sure if I would be accepted into the church. It was a difficult
choice for me. I have not been very religious and have not led a Christian
life. The more I learn about the church, the more those feelings of making
the right choice are strengthened. Along with the feelings of making the
correct choice, I also have all of those feelings of doubt and concern. I
have a long to go on my journey of faith, but I am happy to go where the
road leads me. I will trust in the Lord to lead me and direct my actions.
I am making many new friends along the way that share my faith and joy at
being a member of the church. I look forward to the day when I can partake
fully of what the church has to offer me. I look forward with joy in my
heart to the day I can share with my friends and fiancée Holy Communion and
being one with the Lord.
I have
been less than a true Christian should be in many parts of my life. I admit
that I have yielded to temptation and sinned often while a young man. I
have done or been a part of many things that have burdened my heart for many
years. I hope the Lord will forgive me and I know I have taken the first
steps toward a better life than the one I have led in the past. I have done
many things I am ashamed of and I seek forgiveness from our Lord and also
from those I have wronged. I have already forgiven those who have wronged
me. I now know it was not of their own doing that they attacked me in the
manner they did. I have opened my heart to Jesus and will let Him lead me
and I hope that one day they too will know the joy I now feel. I believe
that as I progress in my journey in life and in the church, those feelings
of joy, companionship and the sense of belonging will only increase. |
