A Mother's Memories to Her Child: Spiritual Beginnings

Joyce

The first person who told me about God
My parents; mostly my Grandma Eulah who was very religious. Later - my parents again.

As a child, my image of God was
A being who ruled with an iron fist! We were to honor Him and we were intimidated by His power.

I first knew that God was real when
Touched a "little" by grandma's death while in 6th/7th grade. Later, I was experiencing my father's dying at a very young age (he was 61). I was angry at God for a long time.

My favorite religious holiday
Christmas and Easter. They were very important holidays in the Catholic Church. Mom and Dad always went to church those days but were lax others until they got older.

People who helped me learn about God
Grandma Eulah
Dad
Mom
Aunt Rose
Aunt Arna
Uncle J. D.
Father Mulligan
Sister Josephine Marie

Dawn

The first person who told me about God
My parents

As a child, my image of God was
A dead man on a cross
An angry, judgmental father
An ethereal unknown

I first knew that God was real when
I knew there was something bigger than me that I was connected to from a very early age. I woke up one morning when I was little with a song in my head. I went to church, and they sang that very song. I felt united with something indescribable.

As a teen, I entered a Twelve Step Program. They told me I could believe in a Higher Power, and it didn't have to be defined by anyone else but me. At The Right Step, I was encouraged to write about the God of my own understanding. I started identifying God as a She, and I was better able to connect with that Higher Power.

My favorite religious holiday
Christmas

People who helped me learn about God
My parents
Anne & Steve Mcallister
Gary Reyes
Emily Barclay
Sarah Harrington Levit
Andrea
Lauri
Becky Cuellar Ahlgrim
Silvina Duchini
Amber Tillman
Carol Wyatt
The Right Step Program