 Posted Sunday, May 04, 2008 10:21 PM
|
|
|
|
Hi rosebud3,
I am happy to offer some help. God loves us all equally, irrespective of our circumstances in life. He/She is metaphorically like the sunshine, shining His/Her unconditional love and wonderful wisdom down on us all equally. Since God is eternal Life itself, to Him/Her there is no death. Your uncle can feel this love just as much now as anytime previous to his passing. Sometimes to feel this it helps to be quiet within ourselves, and just let this sunshine of love flood our thinking. We can never be separated from it. We can feel it right now. All we need to do is open out thought to it. I've found www.spirituality.com to be a wonderful resource. It's fun to explore.
Another thought I've found helpful is that love and joy are not yours until you give them away. It could be something as simple as a smile, a good deed, a prayer. And the more you give, the more you have. So have fun sharing. Do you find these thoughts helpful?Moderator's note added 5-23-08: spirituality.com is a Christian Science web site
Bruce Cunningham
|
|
|
Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 7:15 PM
|
|
|
|
Bruce,
What you wrote is similar to an experience I had when I was quiet during a session with a healer. My body became full of heat and I couldn't help but cry because I saw my Uncle in my mind saying "A gift is meant to be given" . After that I developed my personal mission statement "To support, demonstrate and facilitate healing in the family of God" This was long before I studied CS. I went back to work as an RN and made my way into a prestigious University Hospital. My plan had been to be a Masters prepared NP which is just a notch below an MD.
This did not occur as life circumstances intervened and I made important choices of what was more valuable to me at the time , and it turned out to be friendship.The loving support to a friend during an 8 month terminal illness, after having battled this with her for 7 years. So I felt as if I have failed the path I had worked so hard for and have been trying to understand a different one. I guess that is where the quietness comes in. It is true joy becomes joy as it is shared; it means not being afraid I think. Thanks, Rosebud3
|
|
|
Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 7:29 PM
|
|
|
|
| Square Peg, Thank you for your compassion in recognizing my love for my Uncle. When my Dad went to see my relatives, at that time, he said my Aunt started to cry and then stopped and said "Damn". Actually anger is part of the grieving process but I think it was hard for my Dad because he couldn't grieve with them the way many of us need to. Thank-you for telling me my Uncle's death was not my fault. I have been seeking a sense of some of my personal value to the family in all of this and feel a rejection of sorts. I don't think they would ever see it that way. I am hoping I did not invade their privacy too much by saying these things, yet I feel since I have felt so alone and disturbed by this as if it was some kind of paradox to resolve, that it is necessary and acceptable for me to speak of it. As for the religious part I have set aside my CS material for a while and I am attending my Presbyterian church now.I am glad I studied CS, but I think sometimes you need to set something aside for a while to get objectivity. Also I was getting very compulsive about reading the literature and it appeared to be fear based and falsely dependent, so I didn't see that as having too much to do with Love which is God's primary message He hopes for us to receive. Rosebud3.
|
|
|
Posted Monday, May 05, 2008 8:18 PM
|
|
|
|
Since God is eternal Life itself, to Him/Her there is no death. Your uncle can feel this love just as much now as anytime previous to his passing. Good CS logic, but not biblical. If you'd like to pursue this I'd be happy to disucss it in the Doctrinal and Bible Related Issues category.
|
|
|
Posted Tuesday, May 06, 2008 12:14 PM
|
|
|
|
| Linda, I would appreciate any feedback. Should I just look for it in that section?
|
|
|
Posted Wednesday, May 07, 2008 8:37 PM
|
|
|
|
| Rosebud3, I looked in the Doctrinal.. category and didn't see a thread dedicated to the reality or unreality of death, although I know we have discussed it here and there. I have started a thread entitled Is death real? as a place for specifically addressing the issue.
|
|
|
Posted Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:08 PM
|
|
|
|
Dear Rosebud,
I am sorry for your loss. No matter how long ago & no matter what the cause, it is difficult when a loved one dies. I, too, have been trained as a Stephen Minister. It may help you to look into their grief resources. There's a great series of booklets about grief that will help you see that what you are feeling is normal. Also, remember that everyone grieves differently & in their own time. God is the healer! Stick to your Bible, God's word! Surround yourself with caring Christian people that will acknowledge your pain, love & accept you just as you are. I struggle with a similar situation - death caused by an illness that could have been treated by a Dr. It's really disturbing to me when a practioner will not pray for you if you seek medical attention. As you know, early detection & prompt action can save lives. However, we are not to blame for other people's choices! Unfortunately, we're left to deal with the natural consequences of their choices.
I pray that you will find peace & strength in Jesus Christ!
|
|
|
Posted Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:56 AM
|
|
|
|
| To Anonymous, Thanks for your reply. I am still going through this and I even was in volunteer hospice at one time. I truly believe there are reasons why we are connected to the people we find ourselves with. I can't believe I was sitting in my car crying yesterday about fox-holes in World War 2. This has to do with my Uncle. Sometimes it all seems so clear and such love and peace and then the crying or something else. Especially, in this situation there is a lot of grief and I don't know why yet. I'll need to keep praying or writing, whatever helps. I know God holds us all in His care and we can feel that if we are willing. It was kind of you to acknowledge that we are not responsible for other's choices, yet we do live with the result. Thank-you.
|
|
|
Posted Thursday, May 22, 2008 9:54 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted Friday, May 23, 2008 8:45 AM
|
|
|
|
Bruce,
Can we please pick up the discussion regarding Spirituality.com in the appropriate thread? Menderfire9 responded to your comment in post 14609 that I moved.
Do Go Be Man
<><
|
|
|
|