I remember reading Lois Lowry's Number the Stars ages ago. Eight years have already gone by, perhaps. And my friends and I liked the author's voice. I read The Giver, too. And then, Gathering Blue.

That was it.

While browsing through IG, however, I saw my friend post something. Apparently, she bought a copy of The Giver. It brought back memories. Nice memories. We rarely talk now. To be honest, it's been like that ever since we graduated. She moved to the city. I moved countries. I am not an expert when it comes to maintaining long distance relationships.

And I do not know. But it's in my heart to give her a gift, because I wasn't able to do that when I returned home two years ago. I bought her three of Lowry's works, which weren't in stock back home. And while talking in Viber, she opened things up to me. And God is so good, because what our pastor said last Sunday synced with what she was facing. And it synced with mine, too.

You see, I am not always bold when it comes to sharing my faith. I feel people shrinking away, whenever they ask me what my plan for the weekend is.

"Going anywhere this Sunday?"

"Oh, I'm going to church."

And that kills most of the conversations. And I understand. Because back then, my impression towards the church was quite bad. I thought people in there were judgemental. I thought church was full of hypocrites. Because that was what I saw. And that clouded my view on Jesus. In a nutshell, I'll quote Gandhi: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

The more I think about it, though, the more I realize I have forgotten something: Christians are humans, too. They fall short. And are very limited.

You see, churches are not perfect. That is why we need Jesus to be the center of everything. And I'm sorry, if churches have hurt you. If Christians have hurt you. I apologize, if all they saw in you were the wrong things you've done.

I am a work in progress, but from what I go through, I can't help but be amazed. Because Jesus is really just...whoa. He let children gather around him. He ate with society's underdogs. He wept when a friend of his died. Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. He spoke in parables so everyone can understand the Gospel. He kicked tables (guys). And while he has the right to condemn, he saved, instead. That's the Jesus I'm serving. He is fully God, and fully human.

So do not think Jesus does not understand what you're going through, because he does. He loves you so much.