Because He Lives

Growing up, my family went to church periodically. We frequented a couple of churches, but it wasn't until I started going to the church my dance teacher attended, that we found our home. I started going to that church in the mid-nineties and my family would follow suit. Throughout college, I was a regular attendant. I went every Sunday morning. However, after college, I was a church dropout. Life got in the way. I had taken on a job that required me to work weekends. After I quit that job to move to a Monday through Friday nine to five job, I would find myself too tired from going out the night before. Before long, years and years would go by without stepping foot inside of a church.

When Michael and I first started dating, he would take his grandmother to church every Sunday. I never went, because he never invited me. I probably would of gone along. They both went to a Methodist church as well. Michael started slacking off and both of us would be Sunday morning sleepers. I could tell that I was lacking in faith and humanity. However, days, months, and years went on without having that spirituality that I once felt inside.

Michael also made me quite confused at times about religion. He was a very technical and scientific person. He claimed that since there wasn't concrete evidence (The Bible wasn't good enough) that God existed and people didn't really know what happened to a person after they die, that Christianity was just a belief and religion was a cult. His philosophies made me start to think. Not only that, but during this time period, life wasn't grand. It was on the downward slope. If God could make things all better, then why wasn't he?

I would often think back during my college years. Probably the best years of my life thus far. Not because of partying, I didn't do such, but the faith I had during those years. The faith, prayers and love of God was shown on both ends. I often dreamed of having that feeling and life again. I could, I know I could. God is always there and just a prayer away.

When Michael's sickness hit, there were lots of prayers. My faith in God starting turning. Michael always told me that he believed that God existed and that one day he would go to Heaven. He said he didn't see why he wouldn't, because he had been a great person. When he was in the hospital, a Chaplain came to pray with him and to reassure his faith in God. Michael said that he was going to Heaven.

I believe Michael did indeed meet our lord and creator. Through Michael's journey, I have reinstated my faith in God. My spirituality has had a resurgence. I've been going to the 6:00 p.m. service at the church I once was a part of. My family never quit. I still remember those same faces and happy times I shared with all. I am going to make new memories with them and a new journey with God. Our new pastor is very inspirational and funny as well.

While watching the Superbowl this evening, this commercial definitely was my by far my favorite. I remember going in the afternoon's to pick up my grandfather from work. My grandmother would have Paul Harvey on the radio. Those moments are everlasting in my mind as I grow older and mean the world to me. Good day!