Page 93 - Dash to Heaven DRAFT

From the Author
by Linda Ellis
In 1930, my mother’s mother arrived in New York from Ireland. A devoted young Catholic, she soon married and raised her family the same. Fast forward to 1952, my mother met and married a young, handsome Coast Guard sailor who was a southern Baptist.
I was baptized Catholic. Yet, I grew up in an environment with no religious or spiritual instruction. My father’s mother taught Sunday school in Florida where we lived, but I never attended one of her classes. In fact, I can’t remember setting foot in a church throughout my entire childhood.
It wasn’t because my parents weren’t believers. In fact, they were both raised in devout Christian environments. But somewhere along the line, a link was broken. The spiritual thread that had been woven into their youth had become unraveled. In spite of that, my brothers and I were raised as good, caring people with good hearts, yet no spiritual foundation or direction.
I always knew something was missing. I lacked the foundation, the knowledge, and frankly, the desire to make such an impactful commitment. An impetuous and impatient young woman, if I were to follow anyone’s directions, much less someone I couldn’t see, I would need some sort of sign, some proof, some evidence. It wasn’t until much later I learned that God doesn’t reveal Himself in that way.
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