I went to preschool in a church, and that was pretty much the extent of my childhood church going experiences.

My family is more of a Chreaster type of family. Meaning we really only went to church on Christmas and Easter, and sometimes we didn't even do that. God was someone who I never truly thought about. I mean, I have always tried to be a good person, but the idea of someone that I could rely on to help me be an even better person never really crossed my mind.

Where I grew up most of my friends weren't very religious so I didn't feel like it was something that was meant to be important.

Then I moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia and religion was everywhere. I had heard about the Bible Belt before, but to see it with my own eyes was vastly different. There is at least one church on every road, and there are so many different types of churches. There are Baptists and Methodists and Lutherans and the list goes on! I saw how important religion was to the people in the South, but I still didn't think it was for me.

I went through High School and maybe went to church 3 times throughout those four years. Then it was graduation time! I walked across that stage without even knowing how much God had helped me get to that point.

Over the summer my roommates Madeline, Sidney, and Macie had told me again and again that I should rush, but I didn't know if sorority life was for me. Boy, was I wrong! I rushed and ran to my home at 110 Olympic Boulevard, the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority house. I found the people that will be my bridesmaids, and life long best friends! Feeling a sense of community I decided to join my roommates on Greek row the following night for a prayer walk.

My roommates and I walked up and down row praying for the people that belonged to each house. Not knowing how to even pray I kind of just talked to myself hoping that I didn't look like a fool. Each house that we passed I felt something grow within me. I was confused and uncomfortable.

I prayed for my roommates and the houses that they belonged to. It felt foreign and strange to pray to someone that I couldn't see and didn't even know was listening, but I kind of liked it. Then, the band started playing some Christian music, and I hadn't really heard it before. The music awoke something within me as though I had been asleep for the past eighteen years of my life.

Before I knew what was happening I was thanking God for everything that He had blessed me with, and I began to cry.

There were so many emotions running through my heart. I didn't know how else to react. My roommate Sidney pulled me to the side and prayed for me and with me. Then Madeline came soon after. We were all crying and hugging and thanking Him for what we all had.

For the first time in my life, I really knew what God felt like. He feels like love and forgiveness and I can't believe that I had ever lived without it. God loves me and He loves you too. Even if you haven't been one of His followers before He will still always love you. Letting God be the light in my life was one of the best decisions I have ever made! If you haven't let God in, I strongly suggest that you do.

There is no judgment there. There is only love and forgiveness.

Don't be afraid, because HE LOVES YOU.