I was talking with a friend last night and somehow we got on the topic of religion. I’m in no way hyper-religious, but I did grow up with a solid footing in the Lutheran Church. Since college it seems my church service attendance occurs less frequently than some department stores’ semi-annual sales.  I wouldn’t call myself a Christmas and Easter person either, though, because I still enjoy the sense of home I get standing between my mom who sings hymns fearlessly and my dad who sings when he has the hymnal at just the right distance for his bifocals.

Anyway, my friend is a bit uneasy with his faith at the moment and the “WE are right and WE must conquer the world” attitude of some Christians. I’ve met people of different faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds since going to college and my adventures that followed. If anything, my decline in church attendance has been supplemented in the “love your neighbor as you would love yourself” department.

I do love my strangers, neighbors, friends, frienemies, and families more than I love myself.

For the past year I’ve tried to live my life by the benediction I cut out of a bulletin from my Great Aunt’s funeral. The piece of paper is tucked into the side of the mirror in my bedroom and a gentle reminder for me each morning. She was not the same denomination as I am, but the message of the church she belonged to and the way she lived her life still resonates with me.

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

I succeed and fail at this goal daily. I’m more than willing to keep practicing until my own benediction.