No matter when death happens, we do not expect it. It may be sudden, or it may be a loved one, being ill over a period of time. Whenever it is, it is hard to accept. Someone we have loved, cared for, whom we have laughed with, talked with, and shared a hug, is no longer there. So often, the first question is to ask God why. Why did you do this, God? Why did you let this happen? Why did you let this person suffer? This is the hardest thing to grasp; the next hardest thing is realizing God didn't cause the suffering, the illness, nor the sudden death. He gave us choices to make, while others were done to human error, and still others due to the chemistry of the body, a mix-up of the make-up.. God would not impose suffering upon anyone; that was taken care of when he offered His Son so the rest of us, for all of the generations to come. God created all of us, but to decide on the genetics of everyone is not up to Him. He may have others suffer more than our brethren, but He may have felt these are the ones who can inspire all of us, to continue to give all we have in order to survive. These are the ones to whom He has a special connection. If this other person go through a hardship, then so can the next. Showing a positive, strong attitude is a definite attribute to survival. Even those who pass away during the suffering leave an impact for those left behind. His Son may have died, but once in awhile, He needs to send a reminder to us how we must live our lives. He doesn't pick anyone to go through an early death, He picks those special few to whom He feels can leave an impact upon many. As years go by, we still do not forget those who left life before their time. But, we must continue to remember it is because God chose them, to leave their mark, affecting a multitude of plenty. We recall, through them, never to take life for granted. Sometimes, it is easy to forget the role of God and the good life He gives us. By selecting a certain few, the message is once again delivered that all of us are gifts from God. Without those giving their lives, we can tend to forget the wonders of our mighty Lord. How glorious He will make the lives of those who suffered, so the rest of us may have a better life!
It is hard for those whom are left behind. It is out of order, to have someone young pass away, or a child before the parents. It does not matter if the child is now an adult; this person is still passing away before the individual's time. It is the time to ask God to give comfort to the family, to the friends and to welcome the loved one into Heaven. Ask that there will no longer be pain, nor suffering, nor a sadness among the deceased. It is very, very hard for those left behind. As the loved ones continue to try and go on with life, it is a time to remember that the one whom has passed away is now in a peace we cannot describe until we are there to join our endearing person. It may take years to begin to envelop this peace. Let all of us pray for those going through such a catastrophic process. We are to never judge those continuing in their sorrow. We are only to pray for their wellness, that they one day feel the peace their loved one feels, now living an eternal life with God.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
A TEEN'S EXCITEMENT
I have been assisting a delightful young man, age 17, preparing him for receiving some of the sacraments of the Church. He is devoted to his faith, portraying a strong sense of spirituality through all he says. He is quite excited about receiving the sacraments, something not always seen in a teen. His eyes capture one, as they portray his deep seeded love for God.
A part of my philosophy in teaching is to get to know students as individuals. I want each one to know me on a personal level, as well as me getting to know them. Those in front of me are not just a number or a body; they each have a character, blessed by the Spirit, and I am interested to know what it is. I want to embrace them for who they are. I can incorporate my experiences and wisdom into their lives, but I cannot expect them to be just like me. They are to live their lives in the image of God, not in the image of me.
Following my philosophy, I asked my polite teen if he had enjoyed the weekend. He said it was good, but he was tired from staying up so late the night before. I asked him what he had been doing, to go to bed at 2AM. He had been working on his truck, he told me. As I proceeded to ask him what he was doing on his truck, one question following another, I learned just what a great person he is. In the course of the conversation, I found out what his family means to him, what they have taught him, and what pride he has in everything he takes on in life. He showed me the cross he wears on a chain around his neck, saying how special it is. He told me how he practices humility, using the talents God gave him to benefit others.
Our session time went beyond how long we were to meet. I hated to tell him we had to end, as Mass was ready to start; we needed to go into the Church, leaving the room we were in. He could not believe our session was finished, that there must still be time to talk about more things.
He became my teacher that session. His excitement flowed over, so filled with the love of God. He is truly an example of living the faith.
A part of my philosophy in teaching is to get to know students as individuals. I want each one to know me on a personal level, as well as me getting to know them. Those in front of me are not just a number or a body; they each have a character, blessed by the Spirit, and I am interested to know what it is. I want to embrace them for who they are. I can incorporate my experiences and wisdom into their lives, but I cannot expect them to be just like me. They are to live their lives in the image of God, not in the image of me.
Following my philosophy, I asked my polite teen if he had enjoyed the weekend. He said it was good, but he was tired from staying up so late the night before. I asked him what he had been doing, to go to bed at 2AM. He had been working on his truck, he told me. As I proceeded to ask him what he was doing on his truck, one question following another, I learned just what a great person he is. In the course of the conversation, I found out what his family means to him, what they have taught him, and what pride he has in everything he takes on in life. He showed me the cross he wears on a chain around his neck, saying how special it is. He told me how he practices humility, using the talents God gave him to benefit others.
Our session time went beyond how long we were to meet. I hated to tell him we had to end, as Mass was ready to start; we needed to go into the Church, leaving the room we were in. He could not believe our session was finished, that there must still be time to talk about more things.
He became my teacher that session. His excitement flowed over, so filled with the love of God. He is truly an example of living the faith.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
COMPARING THE CROSS
So often, as we go through something which brings us unbearable pain, there is the feeling no one has gone through something as bad as we have. True, there are incidents which I feel are beyond comprehension in the depth of pain, such as the death of a child. But, as others go through personal pain, we are not the ones to judge how heavy the cross is that they carry the burden upon their shoulders. It is easy to judge, but this isn't what God wants of us.
Yes, I have judged, I must admit. But immediately, I do feel God telling me to calm down; He will take care of things. Are my thoughts going to be the ones who changes this person? No, as they are just thoughts. I wouldn't dare go up to that person and say, “You don't know what a REAL problem is...” To this person, it is a real problem. How this person feels is not going to affect what is going on in my own life. If we begin to get angry or upset about it, this takes over, rather than focusing on our own heaviness.
Maybe, just maybe, we can pray to God, asking Him to help those we know in need. I know, it may be as simple as a broken fingernail, which to us is ridiculous. But to a teenager, this is a moment of distraught. Why not turn into this person, acknowledging the problem. The person may feel as if someone really understands the weight of that cross. It won't hurt us to say “I'm sorry.” Only two words!
Praise God, thanking Him for what He does do for each of us. Make known how He has been there, helping us to carry our cross. Pray that He will be there to help others carry their cross. It may appear minor to us, but to another, it is major. Let God decide how to handle it.
As for me, every time I think of my cross being heavy, I think of those passing away before their time. Immediately after this first thought, I think of how Christ suffered on the cross, bringing to my own mind words that I cannot express . Only picturing what He went through brings grimace to my face and pain to my heart.
This may be the same picture people have in their minds as they go through their own suffering. Let us pray to Christ to be there, to help one and all.
Yes, I have judged, I must admit. But immediately, I do feel God telling me to calm down; He will take care of things. Are my thoughts going to be the ones who changes this person? No, as they are just thoughts. I wouldn't dare go up to that person and say, “You don't know what a REAL problem is...” To this person, it is a real problem. How this person feels is not going to affect what is going on in my own life. If we begin to get angry or upset about it, this takes over, rather than focusing on our own heaviness.
Maybe, just maybe, we can pray to God, asking Him to help those we know in need. I know, it may be as simple as a broken fingernail, which to us is ridiculous. But to a teenager, this is a moment of distraught. Why not turn into this person, acknowledging the problem. The person may feel as if someone really understands the weight of that cross. It won't hurt us to say “I'm sorry.” Only two words!
Praise God, thanking Him for what He does do for each of us. Make known how He has been there, helping us to carry our cross. Pray that He will be there to help others carry their cross. It may appear minor to us, but to another, it is major. Let God decide how to handle it.
As for me, every time I think of my cross being heavy, I think of those passing away before their time. Immediately after this first thought, I think of how Christ suffered on the cross, bringing to my own mind words that I cannot express . Only picturing what He went through brings grimace to my face and pain to my heart.
This may be the same picture people have in their minds as they go through their own suffering. Let us pray to Christ to be there, to help one and all.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Working Together
I had hoped to not miss a day of writing during the Lenten Season. But, ahhh, it happened. Though I love to write, I had to put my family first. My teenage daughter was in a few choir concerts, as well as the two of us having the chore of putting together a portfolio needed for a specific scholarship. We were honored she had been nominated for the $500 award, knowing it could lead to a second scholarship of $1000, but knew we had some work ahead of us in order to meet deadlines of turning everything in. We thought we were through putting together her portfolio a week ago, but we were asked to fine tune it a bit, including adding a table of contents to the portfolio. Though worn out from the work, it was well worth it, hoping the scholarship comes through.
It was also fun to create the portfolio. For years, I have stored up those beautiful scrapbook sheets sold in the craft stores. I kept thinking that at some time, I would use them to create something wonderful. I had also collected various stickers and packages of alphabet letters, all in different fonts, envisioning that one day, I would create a masterpiece. Now, I had my chance to use those stocked up supplies.
My 18 year old and I worked beautifully as we compiled page after page of projects, awards and activities. For years, she had stored everything in a big notebook, dropping something into the book every time she had a new momento. There was no rhyme or reason to this file. It is the same file system I have had for all of those photos we took of our children at different stages of their lives. It was fun, as memories stirred viewing each item, placing pieces in a particular pile, according to the activity and the year it happened.
We were ready to begin, having the paper cutter, scissors, glue, markers, pens, stickers and a mass array of beautifully colored sheets surrounding us. On went the music as we set to work. What a great team we made. I was amazed how alike we were in our creativity, adding borders, headlines and stickers to surround the subject matter of that particular page. We worked on separate sheets in silence, with only the music in the background. But, at the same time, we were together, as one unit, aiming toward one goal.
It made me think of the passage in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13: ‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all of its parts are many, they form one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or fee-and we were all given the one spirit, to drink.’ We all continue in our lives to be separate, yet, we all continue to join together as one. We had numerous pieces of a life, yet were able to be united as one at the end of our masterpiece. My daughter and I may be years apart age wise, yet, we continue to be one, with the same idea, of wanting to serve others. How true this is, across the continents. We may think we are different from one another, but under the eyes of God, we are the same. We want to be there for one another, through many different means, whether it be through words, actions or song.
It was a special time for the two of us, as we relived the memories of the past, while still working toward the present, which will continue to aid us in our future. God continues to show us how life is intertwined, with the past, the present and future all working together. Let us thank Him, for all that He continues to give us, no matter the stage of life we are in.
It was also fun to create the portfolio. For years, I have stored up those beautiful scrapbook sheets sold in the craft stores. I kept thinking that at some time, I would use them to create something wonderful. I had also collected various stickers and packages of alphabet letters, all in different fonts, envisioning that one day, I would create a masterpiece. Now, I had my chance to use those stocked up supplies.
My 18 year old and I worked beautifully as we compiled page after page of projects, awards and activities. For years, she had stored everything in a big notebook, dropping something into the book every time she had a new momento. There was no rhyme or reason to this file. It is the same file system I have had for all of those photos we took of our children at different stages of their lives. It was fun, as memories stirred viewing each item, placing pieces in a particular pile, according to the activity and the year it happened.
We were ready to begin, having the paper cutter, scissors, glue, markers, pens, stickers and a mass array of beautifully colored sheets surrounding us. On went the music as we set to work. What a great team we made. I was amazed how alike we were in our creativity, adding borders, headlines and stickers to surround the subject matter of that particular page. We worked on separate sheets in silence, with only the music in the background. But, at the same time, we were together, as one unit, aiming toward one goal.
It made me think of the passage in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13: ‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all of its parts are many, they form one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or fee-and we were all given the one spirit, to drink.’ We all continue in our lives to be separate, yet, we all continue to join together as one. We had numerous pieces of a life, yet were able to be united as one at the end of our masterpiece. My daughter and I may be years apart age wise, yet, we continue to be one, with the same idea, of wanting to serve others. How true this is, across the continents. We may think we are different from one another, but under the eyes of God, we are the same. We want to be there for one another, through many different means, whether it be through words, actions or song.
It was a special time for the two of us, as we relived the memories of the past, while still working toward the present, which will continue to aid us in our future. God continues to show us how life is intertwined, with the past, the present and future all working together. Let us thank Him, for all that He continues to give us, no matter the stage of life we are in.
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