I am so honored that Queen B gave me a shout in her blog at http://happilyeverjohnson.blogspot.com/. I will make sure I complete the meme soon. Also, I received my order from Clay Rosary Girl at http://theclayrosarygirl.blogspot.com/. Worth every penny. Everything is so delightful.
I want everyone to know I am not perfect. Nor do I think that I am. If you tell others what you believe as a Catholic, does it give off the impression that you are better than them? A holier than thou thought? I know that if anyone, even today, were to tell me I need to be closer to God, I am certain I would become defensive. However, its true. I grow in my faith everyday.Through life's struggles I have made choices that took me away from God and closer to God. The choice has always been up to me. I look back on times in my life and I wonder what would have happened if I had someone to guide me. Someone to tell me something maybe I didn't want to hear, but needed to hear. I am in such a better place than the year before and the year before that. I have grown remarkably in my faith. Everyday I will continue to grow. This growth is credit to everyday life challenges. The challenges that we ALL go through. Some talk about it, others don't. But trust, we all have 'em.
I wonder what different choices I would have made if I had a strongER faith example growing up. My parents were Catholic and went to church every week. But, just because you attend mass doesn't mean much. Its a step, but you have to live it. That's the hard part. I think about my bloggy bud Queen B. She is on her way to becoming an ObGYN. She is strong in her faith.
***MEMORIES****My first visit with an OBGYN was when I was about 16. My mom didn't attend but she knew I was going for craZY period crampage. TMI. Anyhoo, at 16 I was then promptly put on birth control. It alleviated the situation, but at 16, I was not at an age to understand what path that could possibly lead to. I see nothing wrong with making a point to show your faith in your work and to advise accordingly. I do know that there is fine line. But, I would love to have had a doctor who could have supported my health and faith.
In the OBGYN world the doctors work hand in hand with God. Bringing life into the world. They also have the ability to prevent that life from flourishing as well. For example, last year, a family member found out that he and his wife were expecting a baby. After much testing, they discovered that the baby had a rare deformity. When born, she would be in a vegetative state for her life. I was disappointed in my Catholic family. Disappointed because they did not want to step on anyone's toes or cause hurt feelings, so they mostly kept their feelings quiet. My family member decided to induce her labor at 6 months. They decided not to do anything to help their daughter live after she was born. Thus, after a few hours their daughter died. I have struggled with their situation. I have struggled with the doctors whom advised them. I have struggled with my family's choice to stay quiet. What did I do? What did I say? I spoke to the "higher ups" in my family. I expressed my sadness and wondered why we weren't stopping them. But, ultimately it was the couples' choice. I kept quiet.
So folks, when do you step in? Is it possible to tell those you love your feelings? If I was given guidance at an earlier age I am sure I could have made better choices growing up. If someone would have spoken up. Ultimately, I made choices. Now, I feel that God is walking with me in the choices that I make.
When I speak about my faith or tell others about it, I am not coming from a "I am better than you or I know better" More like, this is what God has done for me and what I(and God) have done to GROW here.I want everyone to have what I have.Especially those I love. I am stumped. God's uses us all to help each other. If we ignore what God is asking us to do, how are we living in HIM? And Scene.
3 comments:
I've always lived by the rule of not discussing religion or politics unless my opinion is asked for. Just because you have a certain relationship with God doesn't mean everyone should or will. Your opinions are your opinions-everyone knows about the Good Lord, but everyone has different ways of connecting with him. Don't be pushy! :)
I believe that God is a loving God and would not want any of us to put our friends and family through even more strife on earth because of our own opinoins. Your OPINOIN of your family member's birth choice is one of judgement (at least it sounds like) not of "My God wants me to tell you right/wrong." It isn't our duty on earth to tell others what is right and wrong. In the end we will all be judged by our God (before we ascend into heaven). I know it is human nature to be judgemental but I truly believe that is exactly what you are doing and not at all being a loving Christian to others. I am not perfect either, I judge all the time. And I grew up with a wonderful faith and example of how to live out God's will for my life. But I am human and stumble and fall in my faith and life. The bottom line is when you speak to others about your opinoins of God or Christ or being a "better Christian" whether your intentions are good or not I have yet to meet a situation where it doesn't come across anything but judgemental and usually makes the person you speak to start to question their own faith. I stick to praying for others. I am not judging you and will pray you find your way in sharing your faith with others in a POSITIVE way.
My thought on my family members birth is not one of judgement. Someone needed to speak up for that baby. God made them pregnant for a reason. It is our duty to speak up when you see actions against God's will. You cannot sit idle if you see it. Jesus DIED on the cross for us. I go to mass at least every weekend to remember what he did so we can have the life we have. If your only son died for others, wouldnt you be mad if people didnt go to his memorial beause they had a softball game?or something else seemingly important? If you are Catholic, you must go to Mass. Plain and simple. Its a sin not to go. It is not my OPINION, it is fact. I spend a lot of time trying to learn and understand more about my faith. So merely asking a friend whom is Catholic to attend Mass is not a OPINION nor is it JUDGEMENTAL. It is the core of our religion. If you want great things from God you need to do great things FOR God. If someone questions thier own faith, thats good. That might ultimatley bring them closer to God.
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