I do understand the frustration of unanswered prayers and unanswered questions of faith and church hierarchies that feel exclusionary to at least half the population.

In the past when I read of yet another sexual abuse scandal by a pastor or a priest using the authority of their position to prey on young people, my anger would compel me to want to leave the Church.

In the past I considered these options, myself. But in the end, I chose to become a contrarian in uncertain times.

I love God too much to turn my back on him. I cannot imagine what a mess my life would be without God at the center of it. To borrow a phrase, without God my center would not hold.