Have A Little Faith - or even more of it

As baduy as it may sound, I formed a book club in the office with some friends who shared the same interest --- since we borrow each other's books and libraries, anyway. 

I just finished reading Mitch Albom's Have A Little Faith yesterday and it's such a timely read as I have rediscovered my faith through The Feast. At the same time, I have a very recent experience of being asked to convert into another religion.

I've been wanting to write about my faith for almost a month now. Admittedly, it's one aspect of my life that I rarely talk about. 

Truth be told, you will never know the importance of your faith until you are asked to relinquish it or believe in something else. I grew up in a Christian country where everyone I knew was Catholic. When I was growing up, it was normal to be Catholic. Until I left for Indonesia and did several projects in Malaysia.  Both countries are predominantly Muslim. 

Whilst I am Catholic, by baptism and by choice, I was raised to be religion-tolerant. For my Mom and my family, it is not about religion but how steadfast your faith is.  At the same time, whilst I am comfortable and confident about my faith and my God, I never even imagined that I will one day be asked to convert to another religion to be with someone. 

I don't believe in converting into another structure of faith because it is the law of one country. Or because I have to follow the man's religion because I am a woman. The second reason --- yes, I definitely threw a fit. Conversion should be done from the depths of your heart. Because you started believing in something that you never used to. 

Tears were welling up in my eyes by just the thought that I cannot believe in my Christ anymore. Although I am church-going, I'm not exactly what you'd call the ideal Catholic. Thus, my surprise with the impact of  what's being asked from me. 

I cannot stop believing in my Christ. My faith is the one I held on to in the darkest hours of my life. I believed in my salvation because I believed in Christ. 

And so it is. It is true. You will never know the importance of your faith until you are asked to give it up. 

Mitch Albom, the Reb. They're both right. Different faiths can walk side by side. 

And that is what we decided to do. We both believe in God.  We just have different religions. 

While Skye will allow me to go to my church still, I will honor his fasting month and make sure he eats before the sun rises. I will make sure there is food on the table upon buka puasa.We will raise our children to be religion-tolerant but at the same time to have faith and believe in God. 

Faith. Faiths can walk side by side. May he and I be the testament to that.