I'm A God Girl

CSB: My Childhood Memories

I don't remember a time where I wasn't a Christian. One of my earliest memories was when I was four or five years old. I was with my brother and parents. We were rushing up to church because the service was starting and we were late, although I didn't know it yet back then.

But even if we were rushing, my dad still pointed out and said something like, "This is our church."

I was confused. I thought to myself, "What church?" We were at just another building. Back then when I thought of church, I pictured old buildings with stained-glass windows depicting the twelve disciples and Jesus during the Last Supper or Jesus on the cross or the angels. I pictured the uncomfortable wooden benches and the drop-down cushion at the back of them where people could kneel when it is time to.

What can I say? It's just me, my siblings and my parents who are Christians in my family. All of my relatives are Roman Catholics.

Back then, I thought that Christianity and Roman Catholicism are very similar, with just minor differences. That it doesn't matter which on you choose. It was before I realized the difference of "Religion" and "Personal Relationship."

Ever since my memory of going to church for the first time, everything else was living the life of a Christian. I remember being read Bible stories for bedtime. I remember getting a Children's Bible for Christmas that I shared with my brother—one with glossy pages and colorful drawings that is still alive until today. I remember getting my first devotions that I also shared with my brother. I remember praying every night with my parents before sleeping. I remember realizing that I memorize The Lord's Prayer and The Prayer of Jabez but not remembering when I memorized it. And I remember a lot more things.

One of my best memories was a time in Sunday School. The lesson was about Zacchaeus. At the end of the story, a teacher asked, "How did Zacchaeus see Jesus when he was so short?"

I raised my hand up high and said, "He asked all the people to go away."

The teachers laughed a laugh that said, Aww... She's so cute!

I was so happy in Sunday School when the teachers are telling stories that I already know, because when they would ask questions, I would be sure of my answers and I would get to bring home a prize. I also greatly enjoyed Praise and Worship and Arts & Crafts time.

And I just loved Vacation Bible School. When I started, I was too young to actually realize what it is and when it takes place. But I just remembered how I liked it that church was more fun than usual. A few months back, I saw one of the paintings I made in one of my VBS, and it just brought chills. I also saw my certificated for every single VBS I joined. Oh, how I miss being a child.

I studied in a Christian School. And I enjoyed every bit of it. I loved my lessons and how they were Christ-centered. I love how we are to memorize a chapter from the bible every month and how I almost always get to recite it at first week. I love that all of my friends were Christians.

Until today, I am still attending the same church and the faces around me are all so familiar. The kids my age I attended church with for years, my former teachers at Sunday School, even my parents' acquaintances who still cannot believe how much I've grown. And my hearts swells in joy every time I am reminded of how long I have stayed at our church and how blessed I am to have grown up surrounded by Christians.

I told a bit about my childhood. But we all have to grow up eventually, right?

Have a blessed weekend everyone!
-Amethyst Rose