Whenever I pick up a book about religion, I’m curious about the author’s sensibility. Here’s mine:

I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah (but I can never get the matriarchs in the right order).

I believe that God is what God is, and that my attempts to understand are by definition imperfect.

I believe that we’re supposed to struggle with the material, and I hope God sees engagement in the struggle as a sign of faith.

I believe it’s important to teach my daughter to love God and that we have responsibilities larger than ourselves.

I believe that a life of faith is best lived out in community.

I believe that my life has been enriched by my Christian upbringing and enriched again by being in Jewish community.

I believe that God loves us all, and that learning to understand each other is part of the test.

I believe that sometimes the test you think you’re taking and the one you’re really taking are two different things.

I believe in the still small voice and grace and love and forgiveness.

I believe in divine nudges—that God doesn’t cause bad things, but sometimes nudges us toward good things when we’re quiet and listening.

I believe in “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

I believe that when I walk off the edge of my own map, I should try to be brave and open and see what I can learn.