I totally relate to what you’re saying, Trudy. As a child, I used to wake up scared to death if I heard a loud train whistle, fearing it was the Lord’s return and I would go straight to hell because I hadn’t been baptized yet. 😉 Thankfully, thankfully I finally learned about God’s GRACE and his LOVE. It changes everything, yes? Blessings to you, friend!

We are blessed to have a heritage of faith behind us, Laurie. My parents and their parents all believed in God. I like your use of the word “distilled” to describe how your faith has evolved. I hope my faith continues to be distilled with each decade!

Your daughter is blessed to have a mother who is so intentional, Traci. Keep up the good work.

I don’t sing hymns very often anymore since my current church uses mostly contemporary songs, but I can drift back into a hymn in my mind with ease. 🙂

Our faith histories sound very similar, Pam! I also grew up believing about God, but not about his grace. Once I discovered that in my 20’s, it changed everything!

I don’t know that particular song, Jerralea, but it sounds like many that I sung as a child too. It’s funny how they get so rooted into our memories. And will probably be the last ones to leave. 🙂

I love how God can bring us to truth regardless of where we start out. It gives me hope that even for kids I know today who aren’t being taught specifically about God, they can still be drawn to him by someone else like you were…a relative or neighbor or friend. Thanks for sharing your story, Barbara. I always enjoy hearing another piece of your puzzle! Your light does shine for God.

Oh, and I always, always enjoy your comments, short or long. 🙂 No apologies needed for “taking up space.” It encourages me to read what you share, and I know it encourages others as well.

Oops! I meant to say “it WASN’T long before I learned to open the door of my heart to Him.

My faith has grown much stronger over the years! Through every circumstance He has shown Himself faithful to me.

I hope to leave this legacy of faith to every generation I’m privileged to live long enough to see!

Sorry to take up so much space in your comments the last couple of days. 🙂

Since everything was so uncertain spiritually as a child, I m glad my beliefs are much more clear, certain, and settled as an adult, thanks mainly to the habit of reading the Bible instilled in me as a teenager. Since early adulthood, I don’t think my major, basic beliefs have changed – who Jesus is, the trustworthiness of the Bible, salvation by grace through faith, etc. But I have realized that some important but lesser issues that a previous church made major issues really are lesser issues.

I want my kids and grandchild(ren) to be strong believers, too, as well as my extended family. I want to encourage them in their faith. I hope His light shines through me in everyday life, in conversation, in my blog and other writing.