While watching the Good Friday drama, I found I could identify most strongly with the character of Naomi.

When I first decided to become a Christian, I think my family was worried for me. When I told them that I wanted to get baptized and live my life for Jesus, I’m pretty sure they thought I had got myself wrapped up in something serious. I got in arguments with my parents, and hurtful things were said. It wasn’t very long before I stopped being as open with my parents about my faith, and I developed the attitude that "they just don’t understand me."

Really, I just stopped giving them a chance. I completely shut myself off from the people who cared about me the most. I don’t know why I couldn’t see it at the time, but obviously this is not the best way to show my loved ones who Jesus is.

For a while I thought it was kind of special to be a Christian who was misunderstood. The Bible says that Christians are going to face difficulties and persecution. I was proud that I should face opposition and disapproval. It made me feel like I was doing something important and right.

It took a lot of time and maturity for me to see how wrong I was, and to take steps to heal my relationship with my family. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. I realized one day how badly I was misrepresenting Jesus in my home. I was supposed to be faithful and obedient to God, but I was still to respect and honour my parents. I used to think that those goals might be incompatible... now I know that they can work together because I gave it a chance.

It took a lot of courage and grace on both sides for things to be made right in my family. But God is faithful... and by His strength I was given humility to ask for forgiveness and grace to forgive hurtful things that were said. I realized that my parents and I aren’t always going to agree on certain issues, but I still need to be open and loving... I need to listen to their concerns and guidance... and I need to share what’s going on in my life.

Everything still isn’t perfect in my relationship with my family. I continue to make mistakes. But I know now that I have the right approach... that when I do my best to give respect and honour to my parents, I give honour to God. This is the best feeling... because as I give honour to God, I know that they will be able to see Jesus in me.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

(Andrea Thomas is from Waterloo.)