Aliya Garrett

Wowza, what a journey!

19 years ago my parents decided not to baptize me as a baby, because they believed it was a choice that I would have to make for myself as an adult. It was about faith, and not religion. This has always been something I admired: they gave me the freedom to choose and trusted me with that decision. But man, let me tell ya, it has been one roller coaster of a ride!!

Growing up in the church has been nothing less than eventful. It started with family faith, to my own faith, to no faith, to nothing but faith. After getting burned by the church so many times, I truly thought God would forever be a side character in my life. That was until this past year, when my life was turned upside down, and ended in me not only finding Jesus again, but meeting His Holy Spirit, and discovering that He was enough. It was early November when I felt called to be baptized and not stop his overflow. This turned out to be a long and complicated process, because every church made it an uphill battle. It became about jumping through hoops, membership classes and their own organized religion, and less about simply giving myself over to Jesus and choosing to follow His Way.

Then I realized that this outward commitment didn’t have to be in a church, because it wasn’t for them, but rather for me. This decision was for mine and God’s relationship, and not for the sake of religion. So, why not have the two pastors that have taught me what I know about God, who introduced me to the Holy Spirit, and have walked with me for this entire journey, be the ones to “dunk me”…my mom and dad! I could not be more thankful for the people around me who have constantly challenged, encouraged and pushed me to be the best version of myself; those who have pointed me in His direction, to Love and Live like Jesus did.