I am very delighted to share a guest post from my very sweet friend Tia. We are both participating in Blogathon, our second year together. I know you will enjoy her post as much as I did!

I discovered Kate’s blog during last year’s Blogathon, and I am so honored to be guest posting here today. For the last year, I have turned to Kate’s blog many times. She’s uplifted me in my marriage, my faith walk, and my relationship with my children. Her series about her courtship with her now husband was equal parts inspirational and heartwarming.

My faith walk has been an interesting one.

My parents were not raised with faith and religion. When they were dating, they chose a church and began their own faith journey. As a kid, we moved a lot (on average every 2-3 years) and were constantly searching for a new church home. My parents, after visiting several churches, chose the one that made them feel most at home. While we always remained Christian, we were many different Protestant denominations. Yet, we were never without a church or a strong sense of family and faith.

Then, I met my husband. He was raised Catholic and even went to an all-boys Catholic high school. I converted, a nine-month process which revealed little new facts to a long-time Christian. I wanted one faith path.

Now I have three daughters. We go to a Catholic church, but feel just as at home in my parents’ church when we visit. Faith and family still go hand in hand. I want my children to know Christian principles and the love of a Christian family.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15 (New International Version)

I strive to teach my daughters the attributes mentioned above; but most of all, I want to teach them how to love. That knowledge will help them love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and give them the necessary strength along their own faith journey. I want to uplift my husband to be the same kind of guide; to have my daughters see my love for him as well.

One of the many things I’ve learned in my own journey… it’s so much easier for Christians to find our differences than to embrace what we share: a never-ending love for our Maker. We can find all things in His Word, through a loving and devoted heart.

On your faith journey to date, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned?

Tia is the award-winning co-author of Depression Cookies (written with her mother, Angela Silverthorne), an avid blogger at Depression Cookies and Mom in Love with Fiction, and a freelance editor. She’s also mom to three girls ages 12, 10, and 7 and proud wife to Ed for 17 years.