Being a part of a Christian family is going to church every Sunday morning, praying before you eat your meals, and bringing up religion in everyday conversations. So much of the time it just becomes habit, but it's because you're around people that expect you to behave that way. It's an expectation as a "Christian family".

I know it's shocking to hear, but some day you aren't going to be there every day. You aren't going to be praying with your family before a meal or getting ready for church together on Sunday mornings.

For me, this was when I had left for college. I had never really been away from my family for longer than a week. We're a tight-knit family and basically do everything together, especially since I'm the only kid. As I packed up my car, and my mom's car, and my dad's truck (I literally had too much stuff we had to take some home!), it never even crossed my mind that this wasn't just a new journey for me physically and emotionally, but this was also a new journey spiritually.

Looking back now after being in college a year and a half, I've grown so much as a person. I've become independent, responsible, and my time-management is miraculously on-point. But that's not what I'm most proud of.

I have made my beliefs my OWN! I'm not a Christian because my parents say I have to be, I don't pray because everyone else is doing it, and I certainly don't think Jesus died on the cross for me just because I'm part of a religious family. I have dedicated time out of my day to do Bible studies. I pray at least once every day. I worship God because I want to, not because anyone says I need to.

Of all the accomplishments I've had over the past few years, I firmly believe that becoming closer to God was my most important and is most meaningful to me. I could be spending my time getting drunk, having sex, skipping class, or any of the other things you think us "college kids" do, but instead I chose to dedicate my life to the one who dedicated His for me. Contrary to belief, your "college years" can be the best thing for your spiritual journey. It's a time to come in touch with who you are and where you want your relationship with Christ to be.