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The Person I Used to Be

I used to be a little different from how I am today, especially in some beliefs and things I’d do or say. My mother was (and still is) fanatical; there was no true religion except for ours; I lived without her zeal – having but a smidgen. I had no testimony to match my mom’s though half my life I tried to practice my religion, till one day I put my church aside. I never had been able to accept some doctrines that for me seemed senseless. So with no apology, I live now religion-free. I know God lives; God’s grace and love are all. I know this because I feel it deep inside. The person that I used to be I never truly was.

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/17/2024 9:55:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your write. Yes, God lives. Have a wonderful day/weekend writing away.....................

Silent One

Date: 10/12/2024 5:57:00 AM

Wise and true words dear Andrea.. Congratulations for your placement in the contest..

Ink Empress

Date: 9/20/2024 7:32:00 AM

Oh i didnt see this before! What an honest poem this is, i didnt know you were religion free? But i guess what matters is being true to your beliefs. I respect all. As long as they are kind and not harming others, for me im a muslim. And quite often misjudged for being different. I love how your poem flows in such a sincere manner! Pleasure reading this! Not sure how i didnt see this befo haha! Best wishes sweet andrea! Sending you light always

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/20/2024 11:19:00 AM

I respect all people who are open minded and kind regarding other's religious beliefs.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/20/2024 11:17:00 AM

Yes I thought I had told you I stopped going to church. There were too many little things bothering me. However, I do feel the religion I grew up with is closest to the beliefs I espouse.

Joe Maverick

Date: 9/18/2024 12:46:00 PM

May God be with you Andrea many times once A set format.' That people have often added.? Gets enshrined the whole power thing begins.' I don't belong there only God is the eternal Power.'

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/18/2024 8:30:00 AM

sincerity in a lovely voice ~

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2024 7:10:00 PM

Thanks, Line

Tom Woody

Date: 9/13/2024 5:53:00 PM

Hmmm... Tempting to write on this theme. As a "good" Catholic boy I played cyo basketball and even made all-star. As a teen I smoked, drank, smoked funny things, got into trouble with the police and slept with whoever I wanted. Then, when I cleaned up my life and became JW my parents disowned me. Ha! I could write a book. Btw, what religion did you grow up with?

Joe Maverick
Date: 9/18/2024 12:48:00 PM

Here I weigh in..A question Tom? Would you join with me in prayer Not that I have specifics Just to Know.?

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/16/2024 11:36:00 PM

hmmm

Tom Woody
Date: 9/15/2024 4:56:00 AM

More like helping

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/14/2024 2:14:00 PM

That is pretty good of you, Tommy. I think maybe you enjoy challenging people's religious beliefs!

Tom Woody
Date: 9/14/2024 9:36:00 AM

I always invite the Mormon missionaries in when they come

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/14/2024 8:12:00 AM

I knew about your parents disowning you. That's sad. My mom accepts her children with unconditional love. My dad ended up Catholic in his second marriage. His wife is alive to this day. I don't buy into her religion, but she and many other Catholics I have known are very good people. This is all we need to be: Good people no matter the culture in which we live.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/14/2024 8:09:00 AM

To this day, I can never say with complete confidence Mormonism is NOT true. Coincidentally, I notice in learning about NDE's, some of what these people experience is similar to what Mormonism teaches: Heaven having many levels, for example, and the fact that Heaven is our original home to which God wants us to return. The main emphasis in life is how kind, forgiving and loving we are, and I prefer to focus on that instead of little rules like don't do this or don't do that.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/14/2024 8:03:00 AM

yep. Sometimes people even welcome Mormons! My mom has had visions that it's the true church, so it's really hard growing up with a family strong in the church and being the only one that is not! I never got into trouble like you though . haha. Always was nice and obedient to church rules except for watching R rated movies and not being able to focus on spirtituality on the Sabbath!

Tom Woody
Date: 9/14/2024 5:08:00 AM

More folks than you might imagine welcome the visits. In any case, Mormon?

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 9/13/2024 9:06:00 PM

The one that's as annoying as the JWs at one's door. Can you guess? Our lives went in opposite directions!