Thankfully I Move Forward
Whether we read the scripture to say and of these three things... faith, hope and charity or faith, hope and love... neither way would that scripture allow me to condemn my fellow man or woman because they were addicted to alcohol and or drugs not even cigarettes or food... I've made plenty of poor choices in my life... and I'm counting on God's love through it all...
I will love and pray with and for people... I will not ever dismiss them as being unworthy of my caring... Even when I have to step away from people I will try to find a way to move away and still pray for myself and them.
Condemning... judging... unkindness... Those things break my heart... For me its not what my faith wants of me.
I read years ago that human endeavor is propelled by the need to feel better than others... I have believed for quite some time now that we should accept that whatever height we obtain in this life... this life will end... and 100 years from now or so... we'll all be just alike... a pile of rotting bones... Not trying to be morbid... but really... will it matter if we held ourselves as being above the others or that we tried to make the world a better place...
Dear God, I confess my hurt feelings made me go further than I should have... I thank you for helping me find some peace and pray for peace for all.
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It's not my job to judge but instead to love.
I learned this from someone's example years ago and its so freeing.
Much love to you and dearest Cara, Linda ♡
I’m 77 tonight. It’s my Jewish birthday. The third Chanukah candle. And I still am so unwise. Maybe we live so long b/c we have so much to learn? Our Old Testament teaches us: do not do to others, what you don’t want done to you. It’s really very simple....deceptively so.
I think we all have "gone further than we should" . I know I have. That is where grace comes in.. giving and receiving it keeps us moving forward. Love you Elissa
I don't worry about others feeling better than me. If they do, it's something they must need and it's their business, not mine. My emotions run the gamut, from one extreme to another and sometimes I get my feelings hurt, but I get over it. I have had enough pain in my life than to hold on to any more. I know I have flaws, but overall I know I am a good person. I am much more patient with fellow grieving mothers, but for others, I expect respect and if that doesn't happen then I simply remove them from my life. Family, friends, no matter...when I lost Cassi, my priorities changed. It feels good to be liked, but I have to be liked for the real me. I refuse to be anything other than my true self in exchange for being liked. I am me, perfectly imperfect, mother to the glorious Cassi and deserving of love and respect, just as I am. My circle is much smaller, but tighter and authentic. Love and respect me, or don't, it's your choice, just as it is my choice who I allow in my life. I have left groups before, and if I ever feel disrespected in this group, I will walk away from it. If there is a problem that can be fixed, I would rather work it out, it can be a learning experience and an opportunity for me to grow as a person, but if it can't, for my own well-being, I sadly have to let it go. When you have a large group of women, there will be conflicts, differences of opinions...I prefer to work them out, but at the end of the day, if it's not to be then I will do what I have to do to take care of myself. I am Cassi's mother. I am a Warrior Queen. I am always learning and growing, not always easy, but always worth it...but I won't tolerate disrespect. Cassi would not be happy with that.
I also made many wrong choices in my life. People judged and condemned me, but God understood and forgave me. Now I try to forgive also, because I know how painful it is to be judged.
Loving hugs to you, Elissa.
Unless we are perfect, and nobody is, we best not judge others. Judge not that ye be not judged. I am who I am, an imperfect being who is trying to be the best me I can be. I am not a religious person but I believe we are on this earth for a purpose. I believe in looking for the best in others. My mother used to say that there is good in each and every one of us. Sometimes you have to look harder for it.
Love and tight hugs, M