"I want a religion where I am motivated to act out of love"

This is a story of a recent declaration in the Triangle, NC (A) cluster. Although brief, it speaks volumes about the qualities we should have in our hearts and the purity of the relationships we should cultivate when teaching the Faith. And it shows that once a soul has recognized Bahá’u’lláh, nothing can hold them back.

Dear friends,

We had another declaration (and child enrollment) on Wednesday night! A group of friends had visited one family earlier that they had first met during the expansion phase. We went this time to share Anna’s presentation with them. . . .

During the presentation this individual also shared a story. She had been reading a prayer book that the Bahá’ís had given to her son previously. Her friend who was visiting asked her, "What are you reading?", to which she responded, "They're prayers that my friends gave to me. They're Bahá’ís." Her friend said, "What? Why are you reading that? You shouldn't have even let them come into your home! You don't know who they are!"

This individual then replied, "They're my friends, just like you're my friend. I let them inside my home just like I let you inside my home. Remember the time you mentioned that you were scared to go to church because you hadn't attended in a while? You were afraid your pastor would be upset with you! That's not the type of religion I want. I want to have a religion where I am motivated to act out of love."

And on Wednesday, after the latest visit, she emphatically declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh, enrolled her son, and expressed her excitement about her new Faith. She was asked multiple times whether she believed in Bahá’u’lláh, and she said "Of course, what do you think?"

Enjoy the last day of the Fast!

Much love,

V