May I speak from truth as I write this entry.  Truth is defined as “fact, reality, honesty” as well as “God”.  So I may interpret this to mean my Truth is my inner God, my God-like self.  This may upset some who believe that God is an outside force from us humans.  My Truth tells me that this is not the case.

Since I was a child, I’ve known that Truth lies from deep within us.  It is everywhere.  I remember telling my Sunday school teacher this when I was 8 years old.  The question she had asked us young third and fourth graders was “Where is Jesus”?  Many of you understand the minds of young children.  My response was one of pure innocence and belief of my ‘Jesus’.  “Jesus is everywhere, under a rock, by a tree, in this church and in my heart”, I replied.  “That isn’t what I’m talking about.  Quiet yourself down now”, the woman wearing a navy blue dress with her dark hair in a bun, answered.  “But that’s what I believe”, I continued.  “Be quiet.  That just isn’t true”, she dictated back to me.

That was the last time I really remember being actively engaged in my Sunday school class.  Soon after that I found myself being called to go up to the front of the church after the service, talk to Pastor Sanderson and give my life to service for what is right in the world, just as Jesus had done.  A few weeks later, wearing a long white robe, witnessed by our church of about 150 people, I was dipped into the warm pool of chlorinated water as the pastor prayed and blessed me.

I had a feeling then and still do today that Pastor Sanderson did understand me.  He knew children; he had six of his own.  And every Sunday he began his sermon by calling the young children up to give them a lesson first before delivering the larger ‘adult’ message.  That always made me feel reassured that he respected us children and our beliefs too.  As I write this now I realize that he was a role model of hope for me within the Church.  As I grew older and moved around from place to place, I searched for someone like him to listen to on Sunday mornings.  I never found that feeling again in the church, so strayed away from my Sunday morning ritual of going to church when I was in college.

Today, I know that what I believe is True for Me.  And what You believe is True for You.  I know that we all have our Truth within us, no matter from where we come, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Atheist, Wiccan…no matter if we are born in the US, Ethiopia, Spain, China, Russia…

As we enter into the holiday season and the winter realm, we naturally go inward.  We stay inside our house more, whether or not we become more introspective.  As the days shorten, become darker and colder, we seek the light and warmth.  The dark helps us to find our light, as part of the natural cycle of life.

If you decide to reflect this winter, try to remember your childhood spiritual experiences.  Were there rituals or beliefs that you had then that were very important to you?  Did someone in your family, a friend, neighbor, or an organization tell you to stop talking, to be quiet?

Well now is the time to let go of that voice of another.  Allow your Truth to become alive again.  Now is the time to remember! What is Your Truth?  Wake up! You are a God-like Self!

With Blessings and Love,

Susie