Catholic and I think I have lost my faith, do I change religions?

[Bill1272]

Hello,

Please be patient for this may be long. I am 37 yo and I am catholic. I did all the things I was suppose to baptism, Sunday school, etc. Now I cant say that I am traditional, I really do believe in God and I really do have faith and love him. I am sorry to say I do not go to church, and I do not have all of the same beliefs, but still in the same. I love God and I have asked him into my life many of times and have given him praise.

I am asking for your help because I really do not have anyone to talk to about this and I am so confused, so I am posting here so someone can give me some advise so I know which way to turn.

I can not say I have had a bad life so far. I will say I went through MANY of struggles and issues in my life, I have always asked god for strength and help and for the most part, I feel that he has stuck by me. I know things do not always go the way you want and you have to accept that as gods plan. However my issue is for the past 2.5 years, it is if someone threw the devil himself at me and he stuck to my back. I lost my job with the economy, then lost the home I built a few years ago, I lost the car that I purchased shortly after getting promoted, and I am stuck in a place where I hate and want to move out so badly but can not because I do not have the funds to. I live in a SMALL town which became even smaller due to foreclosures, and businesses closing and it is pretty much impossible to find work for no one is hiring and I have no car to commute. I had a few other bad things happen but those are the major ones.

Now I do not mean to sound ungrateful because I have my health and at the present time I have a roof over my head and the love of my life. I have been struggling to make ends meet for the last 2 years. My goal is to get out of FL and move to CO where I have a job waiting for me and I have been praying and asking god to help me either find work so I can put food on the table, pay bills, and get enough money to move and start over but it is like I am praying on deaf ears. I know not all prayers will be answered and I have been asking him for strength and I feel sometimes he gives it to me, but there are other days where I am so sad and stressed and cry. I do not know what to do. I apologized for any and all sins and asked for his forgiveness. I have even gone to the local church and did confession and talked to the priest and asked what I could do to get God to come back into my life? I am starting to think I have done something to where he doesn’t want to be in my life.

At any rate, I feel as if I am losing my faith and even considering changing religions in order to try and get some relief and peace by in my life. I do not know what to do or feel anymore. It has really taken a toll on me, my life, and my relationship. I do not know how to get God to come back into my life, nor do I know what to say or do. Have you ever felt like this or know of anyone who felt like this? Can you give me any suggestions? I usually will pray and not ask him for anything and thank him and then if I should need something I ask, and I do not know if asking for money is a sin and maybe that is why he isn’t answering me or helping me. I just do not know anymore. PLEASE give me some guidance. I would appreciate it very much. I want my life back, I want peace back in my life, it has been far to long and I do not know what to do to feel his love anymore or to feel secure because I know he is around me and loves me. I do not know how to pray to him anymore because I feel as if he isn’t listening anymore.

Well I am sorry this is so long and I was rambling on, but please I need some help.

Thank you.

 

[Ohiomom]

I will pray for you.

Just to give you some background, I am a convert and I went through alot of difficulties between the time I decided to “ignore” God and when I was lead to the church.

Changing religions is not going to give you the answers or peace you seek. It might give you a temporary bounce- like when a shopoholic buys something, but in my opinion, the answer is to look at your life and to begin to pray and study.

There is no magic in faith and there are no easy answers or solutions. You say you don’t attend church and by reading your post, it sounds like you have not done anything to continue or develop your relationship with God in some time. Also, if your last experience with learning about the church was years ago in CCD, you may not even have a true understanding of what the church teaches and why.

Faith is just like the mustard seed in Jesus’ parable. If you don’t nurture it, it can wither and die.

First, I would suggest you start attending mass at least on Sunday and if you can manage during the week that would be even better. If you get a daily missal, you can read and reflect on the readings and that may help you ease into the practice of reading scripture.

Second, I would suggest you take steps to become educated in the Catholic church. I would suggest you looking for a good solid parish in your area. Depending on what area of the country you live, folks here could give you feedback on parishes in your area that are solid on teaching the faith. Some parishes have adult faith formation classes that are a good way to develop your faith and learn more. Others have adults who are interested in learning more about their faith attend CCD.

If you had been active in church and had an active and strong faith life, the events of the past couple of years may still have happened. There have been many people injured by fall out from the actions or sins of others. The difference is you may have had a different perspective on the events and other sources of strengh (the sacraments, your parish family etc).

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Everything I’m about to say is said in charity, if it comes across as a scolding, I apologize, I don’t want to scold and by no means would I ever judge. I just want to help.

God gives a grace to each person which is our initial faith. This is a free gift of God. But how we respond to His gift is up to us. You say you love God and you pray, which is really good. But you have not been obedient to Him when it comes to going to worship Him in the Mass. This may be one of the things you spoke about that you don’t agree with. But it is absolutely critical that we go to Church EVERY Sunday. If you miss Mass on Sunday, without a good reason, then you are committing a grave sin. Jesus offers Himself to you every Sunday (actually every day) and you don’t go? You are shutting off your soul to the font of grace that is the Eucharist. No wonder you are wobbling in your faith. It is a protestant notion that you don’t have to go to Church, that you can just be in relationship with Jesus and you are saved. But there is a lot more to salvation than just believing in Jesus… that is a first step. Scripture says that we are saved, being saved, hope to be saved and working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Part of “being saved” is being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This begins when we are born again at our baptism, but continues throughout our lives. God purifies us in many ways but one of the most important ways is through the grace He gives in the Sacraments. This is one reason it is so important to go to Mass (aside from the fact that going to the Mass is where we worship the Lord)

I say this in all charity, please do not give up on the Church that Jesus founded. I would recommend going back to confession where Jesus will wash you clean of your sins and then start going to Mass. I would even go to daily Mass if you have the time. The sanctifying grace of the Sacraments is the major source of building up faith and strengthening our soul. Other recommendations: prayerfully read the Bible every day. I’d recommend that you start with the Gospels if you have not been a Bible reader in the past. Also, if you can, try to read some of the Catechism every day. Here you will find the “why” behind various teachings of the Church. I would also recommend that you go to the Blessed Sacrament, get down on your knees before the Lord, and pray. Be silent before Him and listen to what He might be saying to you. Do this as often as you can. Other things which would be helpful, would be praying the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet (if you don’t know how, we can help!), pray the St. Michael prayer of protection, and join some sort of fellowship group at the Church-- maybe a men’s bible study or the Knights of Columbus.

Life is full of trials which God uses as spiritual discipline for His sons (Heb 12:7). Each hardship and trial can be used to help us grow in faith, if we turn to Jesus. If we don’t turn to Jesus, if we get mad or defeated, then the devil can get a toehold into our life and drag us down. I love this prayer by Cardinal Mercier which I also recommend for you:

Oh Holy Spirit, Beloved of my soul, I adore Thee
Enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me
Tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it
I promise to submit to everything that You will permit to happen to me today
Only show me what is Thy will.

I’ll be praying for you!

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

PS. I forgot to say this in my other post, but I really feel compelled to say it now. The last time I saw a post where someone said they were thinking of leaving the Church, I saw some really uncharitable comments. Someone said “Well, Judas left the Church, so you can too” or something like that. PLEASE do not listen to any caustic remarks said on this forum. Almost everyone here will post comments in love and concern for you. But there always seems to be one that is unfeeling or even hateful. Public forums can be dangerous in that way. Remember, satan wants you as far away from Jesus Christ as possible. He will manipulate anyone he can to hurt you when you feel weak. Trust in the Lord and test the all that you see and hear— you will be able to see which of those posters are bearing good fruit and which are bearing rotten fruit.

 

[daughterofgrace]

Bill, I am praying for you. I would recommend that you contact Catholic Social Services. As far as changing religions, I think you should read a book called “I’m Not Being Fed” by Jeff Cavins. This book addresses why so many Catholics leave the Church. I’m praying for your situation to improve.

Hail Mary,
Full of grace!
The LORD is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death. AMEN.

 

[Della]

Bill1272:

I do not know how to get God to come back into my life, nor do I know what to say or do.

Since this seems to be the crux of your dilemma, I’ll address this issue.

First of all, it’s good you have an attitude of gratitude (sorry for the rhyming). God cannot do anything in our lives if we are not humble–so it’s good you realize humility is essential.

You don’t need to get God back in your life you need to get your life back into God. And how do we do that? By doing what he asks of us–attending Sunday Mass, going to confession when needed (regularly is best), daily prayer (Morning and Evening Prayer steadies one best–the Rosary is also great), and putting ourselves completely in God’s hands no matter what comes, good or bad.

When bad things happen we shouldn’t ask “Why is God letting these things happen to me?” rather we should ask “What does God want me to do in this situation–what does he want me to learn from it?”

My dh and I have been through some very rough years of unemployment, loss of many possessions, having to put our dreams on hold, etc. so I can relate to your fears and frustrations. I’ve cried many tears, too, and had to really live the faith I profess by trusting God at every turn, but we have food on the table, a roof over our heads, and have never gone without anything we needed.

Hang in there. God will open doors and close them. Our only job is to not get in his way but simply trust and do what he has asked us to do. If we do that, all will be well. :console: You have my prayers.

 

[RobBahoura]

I will be PRAYING for you.

Changing religions is not going to help you i know that. What i would do if i were you is read the bible, go in-front of the HOLY HOST and pray for one hour each day and most of all pray the ROSARY and ask the Blessed Virgin to help you and give you peace and harmony back in you life. Oh yea i forgot go to confession each month and go to MASS each week. And believe me i was in your spot i am a ex baptist and a happy Catholic. If you do what i have told you. You will see how the holy spirit is going to strengthen you and give you the grace you want. And you will have peace in your life.

"And Jesus said unto them … , “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.”
Romans 1:17

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you.Isaiah 54:10
May the lord help you now and forever

 

[giuseppeTO]

Bill,

Everything that prayer Warrior said is spot on. You cannot “change” religions. There is only ONE true religion, established by Christ Himself, and put in the hands of St. Peter and you belong to it. ALL other religions are false religions, many of which were created to make things “easier” for adherents, all off which are predicated on error.

Also, as PW said, you MUST get yourself to church every Sunday and any weekdays that you can. To miss Mass is a mortal sin and you need to have those absolved pronto. The soul animates the body so when the soul is sick or even dead to sanctifying grace because of the presence of mortal sin, it will weaken the body and bring on illnesses of a physical nature.

We all have crosses to carry, some are large, some are small, but none are too big to bear. Christ answers prayers in His time, not ours, and may be preparing you for sanctity through your current hardships or may be using your struggle as an example for someone else. You may not know right now why the world is crushing you, but you cannot fail to have faith in Christ and understand that He will take care of you in His own time and according to a much larger plan.

Get back to Confession, keep your soul in sanctifying grace, pray the rosary daily and ask Our Blessed Lady for her comfort and consolation and Our Lord will make His plan know to you. All the things you have lost so far are temporal things and all are replaceable … except the life of your soul.

God Bless!

 

[Bill1272]

WOW, Thank You all for taking the time to read my post. I never thought I would get so many responses. Thank you and feel free to keep responding, I will read them all.

In reading your responses, I think I am finally seeing that I did close off certain aspects of my relationship with god. I do now really think I do not understand some of the stuff that I learned as a youngster and that I should take your advise and maybe join a group or take an adult CCD class. I have tried to read from the bible and in no disrespect to anyone, as much as I try, I either do not get it, or maybe I just cant register in the way that it is worded if that makes sense. From what I understand there is a bible out which is written I guess you can say in plain English as appose to the way it was written or spoken at that time. I may have to look into getting that.

As most of you, in fact I think all of you posted that going back to the church is one of the main things I should focus on because it has been a while. I think I need to study more of what is a sin and what isn’t. I mean do not get me wrong, I know not to steal, murder, etc, but I honestly did not know that not going to church was a sin. So I think I need to go back to basics and learn these things over again so I understand more.

I do usually pray in the morning and at night daily. I wake up and thank god for giving me another day and ask Mother Mary to watch over me and my guardian angel to take care of me. I also ask St. Joseph and all the saints of god to pray for me. At night I thank the lord for all his blessings and apologize if I have sinned and ask for his forgiveness. I ask for the strength to get through these hard times and ask if he could please hear my prayers and guide me down the right road. I ask him to help me in some way to get out of this situation I am in and get me out of Florida where I am struggling and get me to Colorado to where I am trying to rebuild my life. In my head I feel that I think these are good things in prayer, but then I wonder if I am doing it wrong or saying it wrong. I know I ask him to help with my huge financial burden and to help me get the funds I need in order to move and then I wonder if it is a sin to ask for money.

I guess why I am so confused is there are so many different things I hear, I do not know what to believe. Asking for this is a sin I hear, but then I hear someone say it is not a sin. I just want to get it right. In this struggle over the past few years I really slipped into a deep depression and when I visited the priest I gave my confession face to face with him and then I told him my fears of trying to get god back into my life, I actually started to cry. I never felt like that before, it scared me to think I may not have him in my life. At the same time, I wake up each day, believing this is the day God will help me and things will change, and as the day ends, nothing changes, but I say OK, well I know god will help me so maybe tomorrow will be the day. So thinking that makes me think that I do have faith even though he hasn’t helped me yet, because I do know he does things in his own time.

My thought about changing religion hit me as number one, I just became mentally and physically exhausted being in the situation I am in every day. I also look at my mother who is very religious maybe more so a few years ago, but I see her saying the rosary, saying her prayers, etc and I see her struggle in life and she has been struggling with many things for as long as I can remember from sickness, cancer, in law drama, etc. She has had a very HARD life and I looked at that and thought, ok I know she is more religious then myself and she has never really gotten much of a break or any peace. So I thought ok something is wrong, maybe this isn’t the religion I should be. Again, I know every religion has their own beliefs on certain things and that is fine. As I said before I may not agree with certain things with the Catholic faith and I am not going to mention them because I do not want to get into any debates because that is not why I am on this site. I think everyone has a right to their own beliefs and come one day that is for God to decide on. So after all of this I saw all this struggle which made me think, maybe it is just not for me. So that is why I started thinking about switching.

I cant believe that I am going to admit this, but I know I am in the right place for I am seeking help. I sometimes am scared of God. I know that sounds silly, but after the things that have happened in my life the last 2 years, I get scared because I dont want to say or do the wrong thing in fear that things might get worse, that is why I usually just pray and thank him and praise him and I try not to ask for something unless it is urgent. I know that is wrong because I do not look at God as vengeful, but I I do get scared sometime and I hate that.

So I hope this explains things a little better. I was never one to write things the way I want them to come out. I do not take anything you are responding to as an insult or scolding. I am asking for help so I am reading each one and trying to learn from this.

Thank you so much also for saying you will pray for me, that means a lot.

 

[Della]

A couple of things in response: It’s so true that when we’re in the middle of bad things happening/not going as we would want it’s hard to see how our faith is helping. It’s because we are so caught up in our problem we can’t see beyond it. But, there is a much bigger picture. We can only see our part of it. Like your mom, bless her. If you were to ask her how her life is going she might tell you it’s fine. Why? Because she looks to God not to her circumstances for her joy in life. And that’s so right. God is our ultimate joy, not any circumstances we are in, good or bad. So many people have everything they could possibly want and are miserable. It’s because God is not their joy.

Secondly, we often can’t understand the Church’s teachings when we are being influenced by the culture around us and our own ideas about things. But God is more than culture or our own thoughts. His ways are not our ways, his thoughts are not our thoughts. He sees everything all at once. He knows what is best for us and what will harm us. He doesn’t make up arbitrary rules just to make things hard on us. He wants us to have the very best life possible–and we can only have that through obedience to his ways.

Christ founded his Church to do two things: teach the world what he came to tell us, and be his witness to the world. The Church is his voice in the world, his very Body. We must trust it as we would trust him because he founded it for that purpose.

The Bible is only a part of Sacred Tradition and is part of the Church. The Church, therefore has the right and the authority to tell us what it means and how we are to live by it. In all matters of faith and morals the Church is infallible and true. God gave us his Church so we wouldn’t have to flounder and guess what is right and what is wrong–we could know so we can be what God wants us to be–holy people living in his love.

I hope you will come to accept these things as true because they will save you from sin, from pain and heartache, and save your soul for God by making you the person God wants you to be.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your follow up post. I’m glad to see that you are interested in returning to Mass. In my view, this is a critical first step.

Regarding the Bible, it is sort of difficult at first, but stick with it. A good study Bible might be helpful if you can afford it. Ignatius Press just released a new study Bible in the Revised Standard Version. This is a very readable and affordable version of the New Testament with great notes. This is only a New Testament, but it will be a good starting point for you. The study notes can help you to understand what you have read. There are lots of threads on these forums about which Bible is the best one, but the bottom line is that the best Bible is going to be one that you will read. Here is a link to an online RSV bible so you can see if you like it. The classic Catholic Bible is the Douay Rheims, though highly accurate, it is one with outdated language. Here is the New American, it is the one used in the Mass in the United States-- I don’t like it as well, but you might.

It is an excellent idea to go to an RCIA class, but be advised that sometimes even RCIA classes are misleading. Some leaders of RCIA impute their own leanings into the course and they can mislead you. Some RCIA classes are awesome, some really stink. If something stinks to you, check it out in the catechism-- you can’t go wrong there, because it encompasses the whole teaching of the Church. As Della noted, the Church is the authority Jesus gave us on earth. The Church is apostolic (descending from the Apostles) and does not only rely on Scripture for her teaching. However, I cannot tell you how much Scripture study has deepened my love for God.

Lastly, regarding the situation in your life. I’m sorry you have had so many struggles. You don’t need to pray for money, per se. A good policy on prayer is to pray that you whatever you do will be in accordance to the will of God. If it be His will that you go to Colorado, ask that He break open the gates that hold you back, and allow you to burst forth (Micah 2:13). God could grant this in a financial form, or by some other means… but you leave that part up to Him. Another prayer is to ask the Lord to set you free to think new thoughts and feel new feelings, for what the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). (I have found that it is very powerful to pray God’s Word, so that is why I’m giving you scripture references.) Like I said before, God may be using your trials to bring you closer to Him. That doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that if you are intimately close to the Lord, that you will not have problems. Some of the most devout people I know are inundated with setbacks. But they let the Lord shoulder the burden, they trust Him implicitly that He has a plan and purpose for their life (plans for peace and not disaster, reserving a future full of hope Jer. 29:11).

Remember that God loves you enough to send His only Son to die for your sake. No one can top God when it comes to generosity. When He fills, He fills to the brim (think of the wine at Cana). So, feel free to ask, God wants you to involve Him in every part of your life. You said you pray with thanksgiving and praise… that is so awesome! Keep that part up! But don’t feel bad about petitioning the Lord, just be mindful of listening to Him in prayer and watching for His response in your life. Lots of people pray persistently but then they don’t realize that the Lord is trying to steer them in another direction. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. This is one of the hardest parts of prayer for me, but know that it is the most powerful. So I guess what I am trying to say to you is that dialogue with God is a two way street. You offer your praise and thanksgiving and your petitions and then you wait on God. Lots of people forget the second part.

PM me anytime if you have questions about prayer or the bible and I will gladly help you if I can. You can also start other threads if you run into trouble on a particular topic. We are all here to help.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

Hi Bill,

God will never leave us, but our ability to discern His presence can be impaired.

I was a Baptist preacher, a pastor of a church when I came to the place that I could not preach the doctrine anymore. This was about 1992. I was 35 years old. I had no church and I had no job. I got into real estate, an agent not an investor. I didn’t like it, but I had four kids by this time and I filled out applications for real jobs, but we were failing, and nobody wanted the guy who said thatthe reason he left his last job was “theological”. (I shouldn’t have answered the questions on the applications so literally. Live and learn. Heh. I didn’t have a church home either. I didn’t know what I believed. The worst three years of my/our (my wife and I) lives followed.

Thanks to God, by 1995, we had come to the place where we believed the Catholic Church was the only viable candidate as the one true church, with continuity to the Apostles. We were in RCIA. But by 1995 our credit card debt was also over $75,000. We had used them to live on. We paid all of our bills on time, the minimums every month, and every month new offers from new companies came in begging to loan us money. We must have had a great credit rating. It was comforting to have a spiritual life, but I wondered what happened, temporally speaking, to people like us. It was a terrible weight. Could we go in debt a million dollars? Would this ever stop?

A friend, a former church member, who also subsequently converted to the Catholic Church, gave me a job driving truck for $7.50 an hour. The money wasn’t enough, but working every day, at anything, made me feel better. The physical activity was a blessing. It was during this time that I was corresponding with one of the leading apologists here at Catholic Answers. I don’t suppose you can talk to them on the phone now like you could back in those days. But he counselled me about why I could have a clear conscience for declaring bankruptcy.

Our debts were cleared in the same spring of '95 that we received our first Holy Communions. Shorty after that I started the job where I work at today. I am more or less a garbage man. The pay is surprisingly good. It keeps my weight managable and it pays the bills and I read when I get home because I don’t stew about any work related responsibilities. I am happier every year in my work, and especially in my faith.

Money problems bring a darkness that can make it very difficult to make the acts of faith, hope, and charity that in turn produce more grace for us. Looking back, I realize that God was with us through all that darkness, but I was blinded, and I was somewhat paralyzed spiritually. I wasn’t even Catholic, but God loved me. I know it. You have stepped away a little, and God loves us. I know He loves us from pondering what I am convinced He has done for us. It is impossible that the good God would be so inconsistent as to give us the natural and supernatural benefits of this life, and be ambivalent or uncaring of us and the things that trouble us.

We were out of church, we weren’t even Catholic, any graces were extraordinary and non-sacramental, as yours are now, dear friend. Come back. You are in no spiritual condition to be leaving the Catholic Church. I understand this darkness. I am embarrassed that we had to declare bankruptcy and you may be assured that I have also been absolved and given penance for some of the irresponsible things that we did. But for the most part, it wasn’t our fault. Kind of like you in that respect. I hope you can see why it might be unwise to make a decision against the Church, or maybe even God eventually, while you are struggling with money. I don’t know why God didn’t give me more sales, I only have hunches, but I am convinced now that He knew all along that it would better for us to experience the dark.

I don’t say that your experience is the same. Maybe you’ll get it all turned around, or maybe something worse temporally speaking is in your future. It is certain we are all terminally ill. If the Lord tarries, we will die. If the pains of this life add to our happiness in the next, I don’t search for the pains like a saint might, but I try to be resigned. I am not recommending any solutions such as bankruptcy which should only be undertaken with the advice of someone who is even more concerned for your spiritual well-being than your material well-being, like a good priest. I share this because your story touched me, and I feel like I in some respects have lived it. Being broke without a faith that you want is a dark, dark experience. I pray that God gives you the faith to believe that He is the light that will gradually come into view again, and brighter than ever, if you persevere. Pray for that strength.

God bless,

Rory

 

[Edward_H]

Bill, our hearts are moved by your situation and your strong struggle, and your hopes.

Most of all, I am moved by your most sincere prayer above.

I will be going to a feast day Mass for St Josemaria Escriva this weekend, and I will ask for his intercession for you at Mass.

I recommend you read your own posting above (that started this thread) to God Himself, in prayer. It’s a sincere call for help; yes, it’s a beautiful prayer that you wrote. This is how I wish I could pray more often to God. And it’s clear that it’s had an effect. If it moved us so, it will move Him who has the tenderest heart.

Please pray your posting to Him tonight and every day until some new options open up.

Please come back to this posting and let us know how you and God progress.

Thank you for letting us see such a sincere and beautiful prayer.

 

[cfell]

As Peter said… in John 6:68-71
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?”
71 He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.

So, to whom shall you go, my brother in Christ?

This “dry time”, while awful, still shows God is working on you. You are here “to know, love and serve God and be happy with him in heaven, forever!” God is not here to serve us… but he does provide… you would not have survived as long as you have… you may have lost your wife… or one of your lives… but God’s mercy is still with you.

Our human condition has the burden of a perception of “time”… what to us is a painful time span, we believe God transcends. He is not limited to time and space… we are. With that understanding, perhaps God is patiently waiting, just around each corner saying, “come on… a little farther… that’s it!!! I am SO proud of you…”

God loves you more deeply and passionately than any human being has capacity to know… to find him, look no further than the Eucharist. It is only in the Catholic Church… Jesus is waiting for you!

I, too, considered “changing religions”… Yet, everywhere I looked I saw anger toward the Catholic Church… and the Eucharist, the source and summit of our hope! That cinched it.

Some years and much struggle later… I can tell you, looking back I can see how I nearly destroyed through my own “choice” and “free will”, what has become a very close walk with Jesus …

Yes, my prayers to God for you… and that our Blessed Mother help you with your struggle with her motherly support… She will point the way…