Tag: Relationship to God

Posted in Lifestyle

What I Do Differently From How I Was Raised

Posted on by Eryn 🐰
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What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

Something I do completely differently from how I was raised is how I practice my religion. Growing up, going to church every Sunday and attending Bible study were important parts of my life. My family taught me that being involved in church was a way to grow closer to God, learn about the Bible, and connect with other people who shared the same beliefs.

As I have gotten older, my relationship with religion has changed. I no longer physically go to church every Sunday, and I do not attend Bible study anymore. Instead, I have found my own ways to practice my faith and maintain my relationship with God. Even though my religious routine is different from the way I was raised, I am still a religious person. I believe that faith is personal, and it can look different for everyone. For me, being religious does not necessarily mean being in church every week.

Posted in Lifestyle

Apparently, Saying “Thank You, Jesus” Is Indoctrination Now

Posted on by Eryn 🐰
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I am not the most Christian person you are ever going to meet.

Yes, I am religious. Yes, I try to go to church. But if we are being completely honest, most Sundays I pick work over church. I drink too much. I cuss too much. I have tattoos. I have had crazy-colored hair. I am not walking around with a Bible tucked under my arm, quoting scripture to everyone I meet.

And I am okay with that.

I also don’t believe in reading the Bible and then turning around and preaching something completely different from how I actually live. I don’t trust a lot of these newer pastors either. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants to build a megachurch, become famous, sell something, or turn God into a personal brand. And honestly, when you don’t have enough talent of your own, sometimes it feels like you use God’s name as your platform.

I also think a lot of people online have made a hobby out of demonizing regular people who are just trying to live their lives.

None of the things I just listed make me less of a Christian than anyone else.

But here is what I will say about being a Christian:

Me mentioning God or talking about my relationship with Christ is not indoctrination. And it is not me giving you religious trauma.

If I mention something that happened to me and say, “Maybe this was God’s timing,” or “I really believe this was God’s plan,” or simply say, “Thank you, Jesus,” I am not pushing God onto you.

I am talking about my own life.

I have never hidden the fact that I am religious. It has always been a part of who I am. Just because I don’t practice my faith exactly the way someone else does doesn’t mean I have to pretend it doesn’t exist to make other people comfortable.

And there is a very big difference between sharing your own faith and forcing your faith onto someone else.

I know not everyone believes in God.

I’m not going to force you to sit there and pray with me over lunch or dinner when I know you don’t believe. I’m not going to make you go to church. I’m not going to send you church service videos because I know that isn’t something you’re interested in.

I understand boundaries.

But I also think those boundaries have to work both ways.

You don’t get to tell me that I can’t mention my own faith simply because you don’t share it.

So what caused this rant?

I showed my friend a video from the Merrill Twins, specifically Ronnie’s pregnancy journey.

At one point in the video, she realizes that they had posted the pregnancy announcement and forgotten to pray. So she stops and says a short prayer.

That’s it.

Her prayer was maybe a minute of a 23-minute-long video.

And somehow, my friend’s partner got upset about it and basically accused me of forcing God down their throats.

I’m sorry, but… how?

I didn’t make you pray.

I didn’t ask you to pray.

I didn’t even show you a church video.

I showed you a pregnancy video.

And I showed it to you because I am currently pregnant.

I didn’t get pregnant when I thought I was going to. Hector and I spent almost an entire year trying to get pregnant. So watching another woman, who is literally my age, finally get pregnant after dealing with her own fertility struggles hit me in a very specific way.

I was watching her journey and thinking about how incredibly grateful I felt.

I was grateful that I didn’t have to go through the hormone and thyroid issues that she dealt with. I was grateful that my own journey looked different. And at the same time, I was genuinely happy to see that the things she was struggling with were eventually addressed and that she finally got the pregnancy she had been hoping for.

That was the part that resonated with me.

And my friend has a child too. It took her a while to get pregnant, so this wasn’t some completely random video that had nothing to do with either of us. She may not follow these YouTubers as closely as I do, but she’s seen enough of their content over time. More importantly, she’s a woman and a mom. She understands what it feels like to want a baby and to finally get that positive pregnancy test.

So when I showed her the video, the point was the pregnancy journey.

Not God.

Not religion.

Not conversion.

Not indoctrination.

And definitely not me trying to make anyone believe what I believe.

There just happened to be a one-minute prayer in a 23-minute video.

And apparently, that was enough to turn it into some kind of religious assault.

I think what bothers me most is how quickly people can take someone else’s genuine expression of faith and turn it into something malicious.

If someone is constantly telling you that you’re going to hell, telling you that you need to accept their religion, refusing to respect your boundaries, or pressuring you to participate in their religious practices, then yes, that’s different.

But someone saying, “I believe God had a hand in this,” when talking about their own life?

Someone saying, “Thank you, Jesus”?

Someone praying for sixty seconds in a video?

That isn’t automatically indoctrination.

Sometimes people are just talking about what they believe.

And you are allowed not to believe it.

I don’t need you to believe in God for me to respect you. I don’t need you to pray with me. I don’t need you to go to church. I don’t need you to agree with my theology.

But in return, I would like the same respect.

Let me have my faith without turning every mention of God into an attack on you.

Because I can respect your right not to believe without pretending that I don’t.

And if saying “Thank you, Jesus” makes you uncomfortable, I genuinely don’t know what to tell you.

Because I am probably going to keep saying it.

Posted in Lifestyle

Running Toward Faith When the World Falls Apart

Posted on by Eryn 🐰
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I’m not entirely sure if I’ve shared this before—but even if I have, it feels deeply important to say again. This has been sitting on my heart, especially now.

Things in the U.S. feel incredibly tense. We’re standing on shaky ground—politically, spiritually, economically. As I’ve been slowly regaining my faith, I’m realizing something I didn’t expect: faith isn’t just something you lean on when things are easy. It’s what you run toward when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

And honestly? That’s not always easy. It’s hard to find a sense of community when everyone seems so divided. It’s heartbreaking to see rights being taken away, people being pushed out of the country, and basic human needs like food and housing being ignored while everything else burns. Other countries are working to fix these problems. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., it feels like we’re watching things crumble in slow motion.

As someone living paycheck to paycheck, I’m scared. I know I’m not alone in that. But what I do believe is that this is the moment we need each other the most—not in uniformity, but in unity. We need to come together as one nation, no matter the language we speak, the way we look, or who we pray to. That’s the only way forward. And I guess this post is my small way of holding onto that hope.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with something that I think a lot of people—especially those raised in the church—might understand. It feels like being a Christian has turned into a list of rejections: don’t do this, don’t go there, don’t explore that. It’s like faith is being defined more by what you’re against than what you’re for.

This clarity struck me during a recent conversation. I shared with someone about prioritizing my mental and physical health through yoga, Pilates, and meditation. These practices have provided me with balance, calm, and a deeper connection to God that I had been missing for a long time.

And then they hit me with this: “That’s not very Christian.”

It honestly hurt.

Not because I was being challenged——faith should ultimately expand us—but because it made me wonder: When did health, wholeness, and self-awareness become un-Christian? When did it become wrong to care for our minds and bodies in a way that aligns with peace, discipline, and intention?

Here’s what’s wild: in my experience, diving into these practices didn’t pull me away from Jesus—it brought me closer.

The more I explored meditation through Buddhism and Taoism, the clearer His teachings became. His messages of stillness, surrender, forgiveness, and divine connection unveiled themselves in ways I hadn’t fully understood before. It was as if He had been conveying these truths all along, but I needed a different perspective to truly grasp them.

Maybe He wasn’t warning us against stillness, awareness, or the breath—but against pride, stubbornness, and spiritual arrogance. Maybe Jesus wasn’t afraid of different languages of wisdom—He just wanted us to see the truth when it came, even if it looked unfamiliar.

I’ve come to believe that prayer is meditation, especially when you do it long enough to quiet your own voice and listen. It’s in those silent spaces where I’ve felt God most intimately. Where I’ve experienced grace not just as a word, but as a breath. A rhythm. A mercy that lives in my very bones.

Being a Christian isn’t about shunning the tools that facilitate our healing. It is about rejecting whatever distances us from love, humility, and truth. If yoga or meditation helps you connect with God in a more open, honest, and whole manner, then perhaps the concern lies not in the practice itself but in the pride that insists God can only operate in one way.

I’m still learning. Still unlearning, too.

But I know this: my walk with Christ is richer because I dared to ask, to explore, to listen. And I believe Jesus isn’t afraid of our questions—He welcomes them.

So if you take anything from this, let it be this: choose love over fear, compassion over judgment, and curiosity over condemnation. We’re all doing our best to navigate a world that often feels heavy and uncertain, and we shouldn’t have to do it alone. Let your faith be a source of light—an instrument of kindness that softens our hearts rather than hardens them.

Better days are within reach, and it all starts with us. It’s about how we treat one another, how we listen, and how we show up in each other’s lives. 

So, let’s choose to share love instead of hate. Let’s become the reason someone believes in goodness and hope. 

Above all, let’s keep the faith—not only in religion but also in each other.

Posted in Lifestyle

Word of the Year 2024

Posted on by Eryn 🐰
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I have chosen a single word to be the foundation of my daily decisions for the upcoming year. I like setting resolutions for each upcoming year, but sometimes, they make me feel like passing or failing. Choosing a word of the year feels like having a supportive friend. My chosen word will support me through thick and thin and help me stay focused, even if my world turns upside down. By focusing on this word, I will gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth, which can be more potent than any New Year’s goal or resolution. This practice is commonly called choosing a “Word of the Year.”

By choosing a word that resonates with you, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth. For example, if you choose “abundance,” you could focus on cultivating meaningful relationships, achieving financial goals, and spending quality time with loved ones. If your word is “discipline,” you could establish a workout routine, develop a consistent evening routine, and prioritize punctuality.

The beauty of choosing a “Word of the Year” is that it stays with you throughout the year, reminding you of your intentions and goals. It serves as a supportive friend that keeps you on track, even when life gets challenging.

For me, my chosen word for 2024 is “fulfilled.” I’m letting go of my tendency to overthink and instead focus on taking bold and courageous steps towards achieving my goals. I’m determined to approach everything I do with unwavering confidence and a positive attitude that will help me overcome any obstacles that I may encounter.

To make the most of the year, I’ve developed a New Year manifesto that outlines my passions, priorities, values, and intentions in the areas that matter most to me. The idea of being fulfilled will serve as a roadmap throughout the year, reminding me of what I want to achieve and helping me stay on track. I’m excited to leap into 2024 with a sense of purpose and determination, and I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for me.

My faith: I am determined to keep my promises to God this year. I will always remind myself that He will fulfill His promises to me. As a believer, I will rely on God to provide for my needs, knowing He possesses everything and can meet my wants. By doing so, I will live a fulfilled life in Christ.

Myself: Looking ahead to the coming year, I am committed to prioritizing my well-being. I have realized that focusing on my needs and desires is essential to living a fulfilling life. By engaging in activities that ignite my spirit, bring me joy, and inspire me to connect with the world around me, I am committing to the journey of self-care and personal growth.

My relationship: I want to have a meaningful relationship; the only way to achieve that is through effective communication. My partner and I have ups and downs, but we don’t always try to communicate and work through our issues. It’s important not to bottle up our feelings and to admit our faults when we’re wrong. We need to be clear on what’s missing in the relationship and discuss what we can do to improve things.

I have chosen a word for myself by asking a series of questions like what I want to achieve in the next year, what skills or characteristics can assist me in accomplishing my goals or lead a better life, what I need or desire more in my life, how I want to feel, and what my core values are.

It’s your turn now! I would be delighted to know your Word of the Year and why you chose it. Please share it with our community by leaving a comment below. Speaking your word into the Universe is a beautiful way to set things in motion.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Posted in Lifestyle

Back To the Basics Of Prayer

Posted on by Eryn 🐰
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I don’t always post about my belief, but I have been part of a bible study group for a few months. I’ve slowly been trying to reconnect to my faith. 

I feel like I’m doing many things wrong, mostly praying. 

I am good at chatting with God (I’m very chatty!) but do not always seek His face appropriately. I lack in some regions of practicing prayer.

Seeking God’s face means desiring to know His character and wanting Him—His presence—more than anything He can give us.

The Christian prayer life can sometimes feel stale. I sometimes literally can’t pray properly. I feel like my mind drifts when trying to focus on prayer. If you’re like me, it doesn’t mean your faith is weak, or you’re doing something wrong—so don’t get hung up on it! It just happens.

I’m not here to tell you that you how to pray and I won’t tell you that “God only helps those who help themselves” (I’ve heard that and YIKES)

Using the ACTS methods of prayer can help you remember four critical topics for your prayers. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. It is based on the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6) and has existed for at least a hundred years.

Let’s start at the beginning with Adoration.

Adoration (adoring HIM)

We must have deep love and respect for our God. We are to praise God for who he is. When praying, we must stay focused on HIM and tell him how much we love him. 

Examples of this are in the Bible.

Matthew 6:9, Psalm 84:1-2, 1 Chronicles 29:11

Confession (Repent)

Most Christians don’t do this, but we must confess our sins and ask forgiveness. Confessions help to renew your mind and your heart. 

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

Matthew 6:12, Jeremiah 10:23-24

Thanksgiving (Thank HIM.)

Thank God for all the beautiful things He has done. This is giving thanks in all circumstances and to strangers by being kind. We are living and breathing, and it’s all due to God.

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

1 Chronicles 16:8-9, Psalm 100:4

Supplication

Bring requests for yourself and others to God and pray that God will be in all things. We are asking HIM for what we need. Sometimes we are so blinded by what we want that we miss what we need. 

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

Hewbrews 13:18, 1 Peter 5:7,

Suppliction makes me think of that song from The Princess and the Frog. 

And they all knew what they wanted
What they wanted me to do
I told 'em what they needed
Just like I be telling you
You got to dig a little deeper
Find out who you are
You got to dig a little deeper
It really ain't that far

Unfortunately, we often spell our prayer life something like SCAT because we start with supplication and spend little time, if any, on Adoration, confession, and thanksgiving.

ACTS is a helpful acronym to focus your prayers, but there are many ways to pray.

I hope you find inspiration to help you go deeper in your prayer time with the Lord.