I am not sure if I have mentioned it before, but I lead a bible study down at my school's Catholic Newman Center. Last year as a freshman I started going to our bible studies, or what we call WORD groups, that get together weekly to discuss the upcoming week's gospel. I was completely taken aback and honored when my WORD leader, and friend Stacey, asked me to co-lead the Spring semesters WORD group with her and the next year take it over. Stacey is so insightful and knowledgeable of our faith it amazes me, so you can see why I was so flattered that she had chosen me.
One of the take home points she would always throw in at WORD is "you can't do faith alone". Ever since she had said this at one of our WORD groups I was instantly intrigued by it. it really got me thinking. As children our faith foundation is built in the home. Our parents help to build us up in our faith and our faith practices, by taking us to church, CCD and youth group, teaching us how to act like Christians, do the right things and teach us about our faith. It is our duty in our faith journey to find friends and eventually partners that share the same beliefs and faith as we do. As I am Catholic, it is important to me to have Christian friends and friends that are Catholic.
Why is it so important to have friends and partners of the same faith and religion you may ask? It just makes sense! Think about it. If you want to stay away from drugs and alcohol, you will stay away from the people that do those things. And if you are a big music person you want to be friends with people that share that passion with you. Having friends in faith is the same idea! You can not grow in your faith without the help of others. My best friend Ellen is one of the most faithful people I know. She, along with Stacey, are the people I want to learn from and have with me on my journey towards an eternal life.
Let's be honest, college sets us up for failure. College is just one huge test! This is the time where your relationship with the big man can be broken or strengthened. I don't know about you, but when I got to school last year it occurred to me that I was now in control of my religious life. I did not have my parents there waking me up every Sunday morning for church. I took this realization and turned it into one of the most positive experiences of my lifetime so far. It all started by going to the Newman Center my first weekend at school and later in the semester joining Koinonia, a women's group we have at the Newman Center. At the Newman Center it is so refreshing to be surrounded by all these college students that have a strong connection because we all share this common belief.
Koinonia is a group of about 20 or so women, and growing, that meets at least 5 times a month for a daily mass, adoration, rosary, hour of service and a monthly meeting. It is awesome to know that I have a true relationship with every woman in this group just based off our one common belief, that truly makes up our whole being. From this group I have met some of my best friends at school and I know I could go to not only my close girlfriends, but any girl in this group with any problem. Koinonia has really brought home to me the idea that faith cannot be done alone. I know that there is so much we have to do on our own to get closer to Jesus, but why not have others there with you on your journey? Not only are these girls helping me on my journey, but I know and I hope, that I am helping them in their journey as well.
Lastly, I would like to mention your future husband or wife. A couple of weeks ago we actually talked about this in my WORD group. We talked about how important it is to many of us, that our spouse shares the same religion as us. First off, it would complicate things a lot less, I can only image. Second, you need someone by your side that betters you as a person in your religious life and challenges your when you aren't fulfilling your Christian duties. If anything you need to share the same beliefs, because we all want to spend forever and eternity with our future spouse. I am no expert on relationships, seeing as I can't keep one for more than six months, but I pray for my future husband. I encourage you to do just that. Pray that your future husband or wife is safe at this time, growing in their faith and readying themselves for your lives together in the future. It is kind of a strange concept, but at the same time it is a cool one. I know I sometimes forget to put him in my prayers because it is still a new concept to me, but when I do remember I get kind of excited praying for the man who will one day be my husband!
To sum this all up...YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE! That's all I am trying to say. You need to have those friends and family members in your life to hold you accountable for keeping the communication lines open with God and continue to grow in your faith and knowledge.
Please share below your thoughts and feelings about this subject and stay tuned for my next blog on how you can't do fitness alone!!
God Bless!
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
One of the take home points she would always throw in at WORD is "you can't do faith alone". Ever since she had said this at one of our WORD groups I was instantly intrigued by it. it really got me thinking. As children our faith foundation is built in the home. Our parents help to build us up in our faith and our faith practices, by taking us to church, CCD and youth group, teaching us how to act like Christians, do the right things and teach us about our faith. It is our duty in our faith journey to find friends and eventually partners that share the same beliefs and faith as we do. As I am Catholic, it is important to me to have Christian friends and friends that are Catholic.
Why is it so important to have friends and partners of the same faith and religion you may ask? It just makes sense! Think about it. If you want to stay away from drugs and alcohol, you will stay away from the people that do those things. And if you are a big music person you want to be friends with people that share that passion with you. Having friends in faith is the same idea! You can not grow in your faith without the help of others. My best friend Ellen is one of the most faithful people I know. She, along with Stacey, are the people I want to learn from and have with me on my journey towards an eternal life.
Let's be honest, college sets us up for failure. College is just one huge test! This is the time where your relationship with the big man can be broken or strengthened. I don't know about you, but when I got to school last year it occurred to me that I was now in control of my religious life. I did not have my parents there waking me up every Sunday morning for church. I took this realization and turned it into one of the most positive experiences of my lifetime so far. It all started by going to the Newman Center my first weekend at school and later in the semester joining Koinonia, a women's group we have at the Newman Center. At the Newman Center it is so refreshing to be surrounded by all these college students that have a strong connection because we all share this common belief.
Koinonia is a group of about 20 or so women, and growing, that meets at least 5 times a month for a daily mass, adoration, rosary, hour of service and a monthly meeting. It is awesome to know that I have a true relationship with every woman in this group just based off our one common belief, that truly makes up our whole being. From this group I have met some of my best friends at school and I know I could go to not only my close girlfriends, but any girl in this group with any problem. Koinonia has really brought home to me the idea that faith cannot be done alone. I know that there is so much we have to do on our own to get closer to Jesus, but why not have others there with you on your journey? Not only are these girls helping me on my journey, but I know and I hope, that I am helping them in their journey as well.
Lastly, I would like to mention your future husband or wife. A couple of weeks ago we actually talked about this in my WORD group. We talked about how important it is to many of us, that our spouse shares the same religion as us. First off, it would complicate things a lot less, I can only image. Second, you need someone by your side that betters you as a person in your religious life and challenges your when you aren't fulfilling your Christian duties. If anything you need to share the same beliefs, because we all want to spend forever and eternity with our future spouse. I am no expert on relationships, seeing as I can't keep one for more than six months, but I pray for my future husband. I encourage you to do just that. Pray that your future husband or wife is safe at this time, growing in their faith and readying themselves for your lives together in the future. It is kind of a strange concept, but at the same time it is a cool one. I know I sometimes forget to put him in my prayers because it is still a new concept to me, but when I do remember I get kind of excited praying for the man who will one day be my husband!
To sum this all up...YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE! That's all I am trying to say. You need to have those friends and family members in your life to hold you accountable for keeping the communication lines open with God and continue to grow in your faith and knowledge.
Please share below your thoughts and feelings about this subject and stay tuned for my next blog on how you can't do fitness alone!!
God Bless!
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.