For a long time, I've felt like something was missing in my life. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this. We long for a boy or girl to love us, for more friends, for a closer family dynamic. I thought if I had all of these things, I would then feel complete.

I'd constantly make changes to my appearance, who I spent my time with and, my daily routine, hoping that one of these changes would spark my thoughts and I could finally realize what I'm missing.

It wasn't until this year when I stopped searching that I started finding.

It wasn't a boy that I was missing, it wasn't more friends because I have plenty of genuine ones, and it wasn't family because I couldn't have a better one.

It sounds so cliche, and those who don't have a strong faith will probably think I'm full of it, but what was missing in my life was God.

I got back in touch with my faith recently and have been opening my heart to every aspect of it. It is so humbling to know that God loves me, and everyone, in their simplest and rawest forms.I

In the natural hair, no piercings, no boyfriend stage of life that I'm in now, I've never felt more loved and whole.

The changes I was making to myself and my life were just cowardly attempts at doing some true soul searching. At the root of my interests and heart, I know it's God that I needed. I've found myself and Him in ways I never thought I could.

We all long for love, acceptance, forgiveness, and encouragement. And who is the only one that can provide all of that for us unconditionally? Him.

Like the Bible states, we truly were saved by grace. Each day, I learn more about the word of God, myself, and the world. Everything I learn is reflected in my actions, relationships and views on life.

Through forming a better relationship with God...

I find beauty in the simplest things.

I have learned how to be more forgiving and understanding to the world and to my peers.

I have become more aware of my own strengths and how they are shaping me as I grow up.

I have become aware of my weaknesses and have made it my goal to work on them.

I see life for how fragile it is.

I understand why things happen more deeply than just thinking "everything happens for a reason."

Through forming a better relationship with God, most importantly, I love myself for who I naturally am.

It eases my mind to know that all of these revelations can come from one thing: finding God and choosing to open my heart to Him.