My modern-day model of faith

DENISE G. BOCALAN 11-HUMSS11

I was born and raised in a devoted Christian family. I

grew close to my family, especially my family
member’s from my dad’s side, thus making me
family-oriented. They served as the pillar of my faith
today but I want to honour one person who placed
such ideals on the version of myself that you can see
now.

My grandfather was the one who influenced our

whole family’s faith. He made sure that his children
would grow up to have Christ-like values. Values that
speak of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Personally, he was the embodiment and standard of
what it means to be kind. He was the one who
introduced me to faith and Christianity. Instead of
reading me classic fairy tales or folktales, he taught
me Bible stories such as Daniel in the lion’s den,
Noah’s ark, David and Goliath, and many more.

As time passed by, I grew into the concept of

attending church and fetching my grandfather from
his house weekly despite my lazy Sunday mornings.
This established my personal relationship with God. I
dove further into this connection by listening to His
word which made me want to continue the first year
of my Junior High in this particular school. I did
successfully maintain my spiritual connection with
God but looking back, I realized that I lacked the
application of Christ’s teachings and values. I can
only think of one reason why that happened, those
who ran this Christian school (from educators,
pastors, and administrators) were supporters of the
oppressive and homophobic society which distorted
my values as a person. I blamed Christianity and its
followers for the person I became. I then eventually
turned my back away from Christianity because of
the hate that it spreads.

With all of the bad things that Christians did to

people who don’t affirm their beliefs, I realized that
they after all are only Christians by practice but not
Christians by values. I re-established my faith in God
once again because of the compassion through Christ
that my grandfather showed me when I was
spreading hate and doubt about Christianity itself.
After all, he was the person who showed me how
wonderful things could be with Christ