A recent blog that someone wrote about their current faith journey got me to pondering.

When I was younger and someone would tell me about the doubts they were having about their faith, I would feel that person was "losing" their faith. As I've grown older, I've come to realize that many times they are "finding", rather than losing their faith.

Having several children, I've come to realize that up to a certain stage in their life, children will believe anything you tell them. When it comes to religious beliefs, it only makes sense. When they are standing before Grandma's casket, the mere concept that Grandma may have passed over into nothingness does not appease the young mind who is dealing with a very real, tangible loss. And so they believe because in their minds, there is no reason to do otherwise.

I find myself regularly dealing with the very real prospect that my faith, no matter how strong, cannot save my children. They must discover, learn,and grow in their OWN faith, through their own experiences. I know this because I have been there. From a dingy cell in Tacoma, Washington 17 years ago to now, my faith journey has taken many twists, turns,and loopholes to get me where I am now.But it has always been a part of who I am. And I am thankful because it is MY faith, inextricably linked with who I am and who I will be. I owe my children nothing less than the sometimes painful, but mostly delightful journey that comes from truly discovering who you are and what you believe. And I owe my friends the same privilege; all I can do is share with them from my own experiences, live my faith the best I can and hope that in some small way I can influence them.

Respectfully submitted,

Gideon MacLeish