I was raised as a Christian and as such I thought I knew the Bible pretty well and had a good understanding of right and wrong. I thought I knew what I needed to do “get” my spot in heaven and what others should and shouldn’t do. It took me many hard lessons and years to learn that all I really knew was right and wrong from a religious viewpoint.

I have finally come to the realization that true Christianity is about a relationship with our Heavenly Father and living in that relationship.

Growing up, I was convinced God must be disappointed in me since I always failed to live the perfect life. I had been taught that if you were in the right denomination that would assure you of your salvation; if you could live up to what they interpreted the Bible to say about living “right.”

For me the problem was that the “right” denomination didn’t give me any more power to overcome evil than the head knowledge I received from and by being religious. Being religious was only a façade that covered my true identity in Christ.

Communication was a big issue for us; I didn’t know how to communicate with Marilyn in a way to build her up and not trigger her into anger. So in fear, I would usually stay quiet and not “rock the boat”, hoping somehow “things” would just be okay.