What do you find challenging about being a Christian?

– Making time to pray?

– Dealing with (or hiding your faith from) people who think Christians are self-righteous and nasty?

– Sitting through a long (or boring) worship service?

– Wanting to not forgive someone who has hurt you?

– Questioning some of those things you learned in Sunday School or confirmation?

– Loving your neighbor (let alone your enemy)?

– Parents asking if you went to church?

– Believing that God really loves you?

If any of these have been challenging for you, you are not alone.

These are the kind of things that people of faith have struggled with through the centuries . . . things I struggle with, too. But we can find hope and comfort in the fact that God knows us, just as we are. Whether we are really busy or irritated or tired or hurt or unsure or rebellious or doubting, God is still there.

God welcomes us, loves us, forgives us and calls us to follow. Over and over again.

It’s a pretty sweet deal. — Alicia