** DISCLAIMER: This post is a rarity. It’s one about religion. As noted, the purpose of this blog is to not only spread good news and recipes but also to be a journal that I can look back on and say, “Wow. I’ve changed.” My definition of my own religion is one that is changing constantly. I do not write this blog to offend anyone but instead I encourage you to consider how you feel about religion, if it’s important to you at all.  I acknowledge and accept that it is not important to some and that it is the center of importance for others. I hope you read this blog post understanding that I truly do fall somewhere in the middle. **

One of my most adamant values in life is that I believe religion is important, but I also believe that it can be pretty exclusive.  In life, I try not to do anything that might exclude anyone from anything intentionally; I know that it’s a miserable feeling when you feel like an outsider.  And this is why I don’t bring up religion in almost any setting.  I’ll talk about it with my significant other or with very close friends, but never in public forums or in a situation where I haven’t deliberated my thoughts and can form clear, tactful statements about my own opinions.  People often toss around religion without having a solid understanding of the religion they are discussing or about their own feelings about the religion.

All of that being said, I am very accepting of and try my best to learn about other religions.  Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve made it a goal to annually attend a church service that is something other than the one that I was raised to believe in.  Personally, I am a Christian and I am Baptist.  I was raised in this faith and hold it true in my own mind and heart. I believe in a God and a greater power that none of us can see or comprehend.  I am also very honest about the fact that while I believe in religion, I would not consider myself religious.

I do not go to church every Sunday, and I also am not one of those people who only goes on major holidays – I think that’s a show and unnecessary. I tend to go to church when I feel a personal calling to. Not just when I’m confused or lost or upset, but when I feel the need to go worship in a particular place; then, I’ll go.

That being said, my parents have always, always taught me that you do not need to be in a particular place to praise your God. In fact, I’ve taken that and understood it as you do not need to praise anyone else’s mutually accepted God either.  As a God believer, I believe that whatever God you praise is your own personal decision and how and when and where you praise it is your own personal decision, not to be influenced by a human.

Having attended a Catholic church for Easter this year, it was a pretty interesting experience. It wasn’t my first time.  As usual, I found the songs kind of boring but the message from the sermon itself mentally and personally enthralling.  Some general thoughts I pulled from this year’s Easter message:

• Most people are living in fear of the fear and turmoil and danger around them.
• No matter what we are afraid of, there are things that are bigger around us; like our community.
• In order to give service you need to be able to receive service graciously.
• What do we do with this message??

As I break down how I feel about that message, I have to give a shout out to one of my best friends in the world, Kimmie Williams.  One of the first times I was really confronted with the Catholic faith was as a college student.  I am always seeking greater understanding, and I mentioned this to Kimmie during our sophomore year. She immediately recommended I come to what was sort of an info-session, but way more than that at the same time; a sit down with her, a few other friends, and Father John – the head of the Catholic community at Virginia Tech.

Going with Kimmie to that event changed my perception of religion a bit. it made me flex my mind’s muscles and think outside of what only I accepted. Most of all, over time, my religion has evolved to make me always focus on what I believe is important:

Friendships and relationships.

That is why this Easter, I was actually quite happy when my ex-girlfriend, but still good friend, Julianne invited me to Easter service with her.  I was also happy when numerous friends offered Potlucks in celebration of the holiday – even those that are not Christian or do not observe it.

I spent the morning cooking breakfast with her and Kristin, and the evening enjoying food with friends, new and old, at an Easter potluck.  Now…let’s be honest. I hold food very highly, also. So I take just about any holiday as an opportunity to enjoy some nom noms.

But all in all, this Easter I realized that I care less about religion and more about the people that I surround myself with and the company that I keep. There is nothing more important than friends and positive, quality relationships.  I realize that this may not be true for others, but it is for me.  I hope that no matter where I am in life I can always count on them.