August 31st, 2026
I’m currently reading a book about walking the Camino de Santiago, “Call of the Camino” by Suzanne Redfearn (2025). I have two chapters left to read, it has been an interesting novel. I could actually imagine myself as part of the story. A dear friend of mine completed part of the Camino de Santiago earlier this year.
I just finished the book, it’s a novel and it had all the elements of a good book; compelling characters, engaging conflicts, strong foundation, meaningful theme, emotions, factual truths and historical information, plus the writer brings the reader to an ending or quite possibly a new beginning. My first interest was the title and subject, after starting the book I found myself identifying with the different characters. I was able to see parts of myself in many of them and wanting to experience the Camino for myself. My hope is to do it right after I retire, that should give me a few years to prepare myself at least physically to attempt it. In the meantime, I can read guide books and personal accounts from those who have walked the journey of the Camino.
Searching, that’s the word that came to mind when I was contemplating this story. There is another word that also resonates with me, “seeker.” I have always been a curious about things. I enjoy learning and researching different things. For most of my life I’ve tried to grasp and understand what it means to be a Christian. Below is a picture using the Webster dictionary’s definition of “Christian.”
: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
So by definition, I am Christian. I do believe in Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is so much more than this definition. It’s being the literal “hands and feet of Jesus” in the world. I am lacking in so many areas I cannot even begin to list them. Being called a Christian can mean something different to nearly everyone who professes to be one. *My opinion only but let me explain.
My experience has shown me that people often add to the definition. Christians can or cannot do this or that. I truly do not want to offend anyone with my personal thoughts. So I am not going to start listing or naming things, instead let me share my faith and belief.
At the age of fifteen, at 9pm on a Thursday night in 1979, I ask my mom to take me to speak with the Pastor of the Christian school I attended. I had believed in who Jesus was long before this formal acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I had attended Sunday school and vacation bible school since the age of at least three years old. It was a combination of attending church and school where Jesus and God were center stage that lead me to want more. Now that I’m older, I believe it was the Holy Spirit leading me to Jesus. My best friend at the time had shared her faith with me and I witnessed in others something I could not explain other than a sense of peace and love, and I wanted what they had too. Being a Christian does not mean perfection or a life free of trouble. For me, it means asking yourself, what would Jesus do? I know, WWJW message can sound kind of corny, but it’s really true. But it’s also very difficult because Jesus is perfect, He’s divine. I am human, we are all human and fallible, sinful and often we take the longest roads possible to get to our destinations. I mention, sinful…I am not even going to try and explain that. The Bible provides a good explanation as to what is considered sinful. I like to look at things this way, by following (my opinion) the greatest verses in the Bible we can resist being sinful.
Mark 12:28-30
The Greatest Commandment
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”
Those few verses sound so simple and yet are so hard for us to achieve. Our world sure could use a lot more love! The good news is this, every day is a gift from God and a new opportunity to do better than the day before. God is not asking for us to be perfect, His love is not measured by what any one of us can do. He loves us, period! He created each of us uniquely and beautifully different from one another. You and I are called “Beloved” by our Creator. You are beloved, you do not have to earn God’s love. You are ENOUGH!
Jude 1-2,20-21
New Revised Standard Version
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ:
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;
keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Always remember this…
Thank you for your continued support of my blog. I pray that the words I share will give you hope and peace, and especially strength to be you!
I will continue to be curious, always searching and openly seeking to be the person God created me to be. I hope you will continue on this journey with me. I am just trying to be the best person I can be, accepting God grace and mercy daily not because I deserve it, but because I desperately need it.
This is one of my favorite songs I want to share with you.
~Peace to you my friends~
Striving Towards Genuine Authentic Living As A Child of God 💞
DISCOVER 