Let me just say, I am so incredibly thankful for my faith. My parents busted their butts so that my siblings and I could go to Catholic school. It wasn't about sending us to a better or pricier school that made them do this, it was our faith. Because of the sacrifices and hard work of my parents, I'm able to know all about God's love for me.

I would never force my faith or any version of religion on anyone. That being said, for anyone who does not believe in God (or any other higher power) I feel bad for you. I don't think you're stupid and I don't personally believe you're going to hell, I just feel bad that you don't know how loved you really are.

One time, I spent hours with my high school priest trying to work through everything I felt God was throwing at me. I felt abandoned and cut off from Him and I felt like He was punishing me. My priest told me that God never gives you a serpent that will poison you. He meant that God may give you an obstacle that looks impossible and you may feel like it will ruin you, but God never gives you anything that you can't handle. He already knows the outcome. He knows that the hard times will make you stronger. He's preparing you for something greater. He never gives something only full of pain. He loves you too much to hurt you. When you trust in Him, he eventually reveals the good. You just have to listen.

There have been so many times where I didn't understand why someone or something had been taken from me. In the moment, all you feel is pain. You can see horrible things happening around the world and insist that none of those things would happen if God was real. But you have to trust that it is all a part of His greater plan. I think my life would be empty and meaningless if I didn't trust that these things were happening for a reason. I am infinitely grateful for the things I begged God for that He didn't give me. I've had my fair share of tearful bargaining (and occasionally screaming matches) with God when I just couldn't understand why He wouldn't give me what I was asking for. But He knew best. He always does. I can look back now and thank Him for not handing over all the things or people I insisted I needed in my life.

I can't imagine a world without my faith. It has given me everything. Yes, I make a lot of mistakes and I don't always get my butt to church but I know that God loves me anyways. I know that no matter how alone I feel or desperate I get, He will always be there. And I don't deserve it! That's the craziest part to me, I don't feel like I deserve His forgiveness or His love but He gives it to me anyways. No matter how many times I mess up or turn away, God is there. He's waiting for me to stop being stupid and to come back.

So many people my age are out there chasing after this idea of perfect love. They want someone who is always there, who will always listen, and will never give up on them or leave them behind. I wish everyone knew that they already have that. He's right there waiting for you to open your heart to Him. If you take anything from this, know that you are so incredibly loved. You're loved by someone who died to save you. He loved you so much that He gave everything so that He could know you. He loves you so much that He will never abandon you no matter what you do. Let yourself feel that love... there's nothing better in the world.