"God is NOT real."

Unfortunately, this is something I hear way too often.

Telling me that God does not exist or that the bible is all a myth won't stop me from believing in him and reading his love story that he wrote for us.

I am not going to sit here and "shove down your throat" how you should believe in God because if you don't you will go to Hell. That is not my calling. Instead, I am going to tell you all a story about my coffee date.

Not too long ago, I went out for coffee at a cute little coffee shop called "Mane Coffee" (located in the Spanish River Suite Plaza) with a friend of mine that I made at church...a church that hasn't even launched yet, but I read about the opportunity to help be a part of the "Launch Team" through the church's newly promoted Instagram account.

Her name is Diana. She and her husband, Ben, are currently co pastors serving at one of their parents' church in Miami. They are about to take a HUGE leap of Faith and launch their own church here in the heart of Boca Raton called "Oceanside" in September at Boca Raton Community High School.

Up until now, you are probably wondering why I am telling you all of this...but just hang tight, it gets better.

What was suppose to be just a meet up, introducing ourselves, and getting a closer look at what Oceanside is all about ended up being a near, tear jerking conversation.

Diana and I talked for several hours. We shared our personal lives; school, family, work, you know the usual. Then we got into the good stuff; talking about Jesus and how good he has been to both of us. From our conversation that afternoon alone, it was truly a promising fellowship in the making. I, for one, do not trust many people or open with sharing my feelings...but that afternoon, I felt completely comfortable opening up to Diana; how I am still in school worried about graduating on time, uncertain about my future, undetermined about my career path, struggling with focusing on my health, terrible with holding grudges, putting the people I care about first and not focusing on my own happiness...the list goes on.

When people ask me what my favorite part about having a relationship with Jesus is, this is it.

I put myself 100% at Diana's feet; a person I met for the first time that day, gave her my whole life story, and yet, I saw God's presence shine through her like never before; the way she listened and gave feedback, didn't judge me once for my past mistakes or flaws and reassured me that "God has a plan" and that this is not the end of the story God wrote for me. A complete stranger turned into a fast friend that day, but I gained so much more.

God loves each and every one of us despite our imperfections and sins. If Diana and I can have a conversation over (really great) coffee and hear each other out without being indifferent or judgmental, how much more can God love us, that HE made in his image. God's love is SO overwhelming and unconditional. In new found fellowships like these, I am reminded of his never ending love and how meeting Diana and being so eager to be a part of the journey at Oceanside is all part of the story that God had already written for me. I couldn't help but think to myself, "This is where I am suppose to be. This is God's calling for me."

Being a Christian is so much more than praying, reading and worshipping God and the written word. It's little things like seeing love and compassion in a stranger, being honest and open about your identity, and having reassurance that everything is going to be okay.