My Faith and Family are One!
Editor’s Note: During a visit with a family member, DC Service Corps volunteer Grant Diego discovers that he can be himself and share his faith with his family in natural, relational ways.
Recently, I had the privilege of having my cousin visit me, and what a beautiful experience it turned out to be. It wasn’t just about catching up, sharing stories, or enjoying each other’s company. It felt like a profound moment of convergence where my faith and family ties collided under one roof, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like I didn’t have to choose between them. For a while, I had been living with an internal divide. As I’ve grown in my Catholic faith, I’ve felt this tension between practicing my faith wholeheartedly and being around family in a way that felt… well, less “churchy.” There’s always this subtle feeling of needing to put on a different face around certain family members, adjusting my actions or speech to avoid being labeled as “too pious” or “different.” At times, I felt like I couldn’t truly express myself, especially when it came to discussions about my beliefs, or even in the way I lived out my faith in everyday moments.
When my cousin arrived, something shifted. It’s hard to put into words exactly what happened, but I truly believe it was a combination of the Holy Spirit’s grace and a little bit of divine intervention. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like I had to hide any part of myself anymore. There was no more anxiety about what I said or did. I didn’t feel the need to shrink or apologize for who I am as a person of faith. There’s something beautiful about the way God works in these moments. I’ve been on this journey of learning and growing in my faith, and I know I’m far from perfect. I still have plenty to learn and areas to improve in, but this experience of reconciling my faith with my family ties was a gentle reminder that God meets us where we are. It was a moment of reassurance that we don’t have to be perfect for our faith to flourish, and we don’t have to compromise our relationship with family in order to live out our beliefs.
In fact, this moment of clarity made me realize that being open about my faith with my family doesn’t have to mean I’m preaching at them or pushing them away. It can simply mean living authentically. I didn’t have to go out of my way to “convert” anyone or make them feel uncomfortable; just by being myself, by allowing my faith to flow naturally through my actions and words, I found that the family I was so worried about alienating could share in that space with me. It wasn’t forced, it wasn’t awkward—it was just… real. As I continue to grow in my faith, I know this experience will stick with me. It’s a beautiful reminder that the two worlds—faith and family—can coexist in harmony. It was one of those rare, divine moments where everything seemed to fall into place. And for the first time in a long time, I felt at peace with both sides of my identity, knowing that, with God’s help, I don’t have to choose between them. They are, in fact, beautifully intertwined.
Question for Reflection: How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to naturally share your faith with your family, friends, or neighbors?
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