I live with God

I know a lot of you who take the time to read my blog are LDS.  If you are, and you're easily offended you may want to just stop here and wait for my next post.  That being said, let me just say that I know that not all Mormons think or feel the way the individual I'm about to blog about does, so this is not an attack on the religion in general, nor on the members of it.  If you do find that you think and feel the way this individual does, I really hope this will make you think to choose your words carefully when trying to share the gospel with others.

A little background about the church and myself....
Many of you know I was raised in the church.  When I was 17, I left the church.  My reasons for leaving and my thoughts on the church and its doctrine are not what this post is about however, so I will leave it at that.  Since leaving the church, my dad has taken it upon himself to make sure that my records are transfered each time that I move so I won't get "lost".  Unfortunately for me, this means the church will not leave me alone.  I have nicely asked each bishop, home teacher, visiting teacher, relief society president, and missionary that has come my way to please leave me alone.  I understand what they believe and why it is so important for them to keep trying but please, just respect my wishes and stop coming to my home.

Wednesday was my birthday.  Yay for being 24!  Seriously my birthday rocked.  Anyway, sometime in the morning someone from the relief society came to my door with a bulb from the Boise temple as a birthday gift for me.  After she told me what it was, I thanked her but told her that a bulb from a temple I don't believe in really doesn't mean anything to me.  I know what it means to church members, so I thought it would be best if she kept it and gave it to someone who would appreciate it's meaning.  I really appreciate the thought, but I didn't want it wasted on me, a non-believer.  Her response blew me away.  She said (and I'm quoting her here)

"Why don't you just keep it anyway.  I know that one day it will mean something to you again.  I just want you to know how much your Heavenly Father loves you, even though you have forsaken Him.  Please remember who you are and that it is never too late to come back to Him."

I am not easily offended.  Not in the least.  I love being able to have my own opinion and beliefs and being able to freely share them.  Because I value this so much, I give everyone else the opportunity to share theirs without judging or taking offense.  That being said, this statement offended me.  I know that wasn't her intention, but I was none the less offended.

I have a breathtaking picture of Christ hanging in my living room for everyone who enters my home to see. I go to church with my family every Sunday, and again on Wednesdays if my kids have activities going on at the church.  I read my children Bible stories before bed and I speak with the Lord everyday in my prayers.  I am not perfect, but I am a good person.  I am a wonderful mother and wife and it is because I live with God.  I am a Christian. I have not "forsaken Him" nor do I have any need to come "back to Him" as I never left Him in the first place.  You better believe I told her the same things.  She left crying, and I really hope it was because she felt bad, not because the 'missionary experience' she was hoping to have didn't go her way.