I am so tired...

[Edward_H]

God understands we need rest. He showed us through His example that it was a good idea to rest.

Rest is good, because it allows us to love more, to give ourselves more. We rest to work. We don’t work to rest.

We weren’t put on earth to rest…we were put on earth to love, to give ourselves fully, for the love of God.

God also gave us an idea about the balance needed…about 1 day in 7. The rest we work like saints. And we should even use the rest day well, to read, to think, to share, to adore Him, to remind others of the beauty and generosity of God.

 

[Julia_Mae]

God also gave us an idea about the balance needed…about 1 day in 7. The rest we work like saints.

Please share with us all the details of your saintlike work. I’m sure it will be just the inspiration we need.

 

[Julia_Mae]

We weren’t put on earth to rest…we were put on earth to love, to give ourselves fully, for the love of God.

God also gave us an idea about the balance needed…about 1 day in 7. The rest we work like saints. .

I’m sure you are completely Saintlike in all you do, Edward. Please share with us how you as a nonCatholic are coping with living in a home where everyone thinks you are crazy for wanting to be Catholic, attacks you and the Church constantly, fight bitterly among themselves and with you whenever possible, castigate you endlessly and then expect you to serve them. When you share how you handled this as a saint, personally, I’m sure it will be of inestimable help to the OP and others in the same situation. What is or was it like to have not a single friend or acquaintance who supported you in your struggle to go Home to the Church, but instead berated you at every turn? I just so admire that you were and are able to conduct yourself as a Saint 6 days a week.

 

[Edward_H]

Julia Mae,

I am not diminishing your circumstances in any way.

What I am trying to add here is a counter to the: hide, run, or drug yourself out of the situation you are in. These are society’s primary prescriptions.

God gave you a brain. He wants you to use it. He gave you a heart; He expects you to apply it, to struggle WITH HIM.

 

[Edward_H]

On your other points, no I am not a saint, I am struggling everyday.

I have learned over the last 4 years something substantial about the interior life, something about our call to holiness, and how to struggle, and to go against the grain, against the sinner I am.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Julia Mae,

I am not diminishing your circumstances in any way.

What I am trying to add here is a counter to the: hide, run, or drug yourself out of the situation you are in. These are society’s primary prescriptions.

God gave you a brain. He wants you to use it. He gave you a heart; He expects you to apply it, to struggle WITH HIM.

I agree. Completely. But these are not the issues here, afaik. I don’t think OP was ever thinking of any of these things, just needing a lot of positive support for swimming against the tide.

On your other points, no I am not a saint, I am struggling everyday.

I have learned over the last 4 years something substantial about the interior life, something about our call to holiness, and how to struggle, and to go against the grain, against the sinner I am.

I completely believe you. Since I have converted, I have had some amazing gifts like this also. I’m sure yours are at least as amazing. You know, I think it’s a matter of style. I think of it as the “drill-sergeant” approach as opposed to the “lifesaver” approach.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF3g-nl-g8EtstgipIesRW4PPE_U9wauAXftrCj1n2gJzlav_Wmg
vs
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ0v5tmJlTln4SNLnqx1KoEgw6WeD0qvdaQLbwa4HkhhoQLqlSfOQ

Both completely well-meaning. Thank you for talking to me about this.

.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

There is no need to take sides that are extreme: never having contact with those who disagree or fully embracing difficulties and proclaiming the Gospel 24/7. There is a healthy way to live, but in order to reach that we must have strong faith and have everything in life rooted in God. So before we go and take on the world we have to be filled with good material. The OP is at that stage now where she is being filled with good stuff, in RCIA, battling with non-believers at home and outside, so she has no support. How can she be strong and go out and evangelise and all that when she is struggling at this stage in her journey? It is unreasonable and immature to make her feel guilty about her decision to minimise contact with people who are against her and God. One day she will be in a different place in life and be able to cope with all these things, but that time is not now. So how about we all give the OP a break and offer some support? It is not easy to be a convert.

 

[knotanes]

There is no need to take sides that are extreme: never having contact with those who disagree or fully embracing difficulties and proclaiming the Gospel 24/7. There is a healthy way to live, but in order to reach that we must have strong faith and have everything in life rooted in God. So before we go and take on the world we have to be filled with good material. The OP is at that stage now where she is being filled with good stuff, in RCIA, battling with non-believers at home and outside, so she has no support. How can she be strong and go out and evangelise and all that when she is struggling at this stage in her journey? It is unreasonable and immature to make her feel guilty about her decision to minimise contact with people who are against her and God. One day she will be in a different place in life and be able to cope with all these things, but that time is not now. So how about we all give the OP a break and offer some support? It is not easy to be a convert.

Thanks. I’m not trying to express an interest in “not evangelizing” and walking some sort of easy path. I’m just saying, I don’t have the ability to deal with ALL of it right now, in this moment.

By the way, when I say atheists… I mean atheists that drunk dial me at all hours of the night and really exert a negative influence. Not just some minor “oh we disagree” situation.

 

[Hopemercy]

Thanks. I’m not trying to express an interest in “not evangelizing” and walking some sort of easy path. I’m just saying, I don’t have the ability to deal with ALL of it right now, in this moment.

By the way, when I say atheists… I mean atheists that drunk dial me at all hours of the night and really exert a negative influence. Not just some minor “oh we disagree” situation.

Bravo and amen…

I am struggling with Edwards posts; I am not American and your culture is very different/ I do nto recognise anything in my life that connects with his eg psycho babble. And it is easy for him and others to generalise and imprint what we see of others thus from what is not in their lives. eg psycho babble. etc. My life is very simple; no radio or Tv and no newspapers or magazines etc. So I rely totally on God and my life in Jesus. And that makes me all the more careful to , yes, avoid those who would truly destroy soul as well as body. My entire life is in Him.

Many choose to go againts God and against those who love Jesus. That is their choice; theirs alone. Ours is to live Jesus and to come closer to Him.

The early Christian sepaated from the world. Benedict did the same … When the worldbecomes so evil that we cannot live as Christians? Theya re facing this in China, in Mexico and many other places.

I have made “enemies” or lost aquaintances because when asked re gay issues, I have stated the Church’s teachings. Their choice; their loss. THEY choose then to shun me. I would gladly remain friends etc… lol

OP you are doing right. It is a time when you need to separate from negativity and hostility and anger and all those things. ( Which is why I go missing from the forums for months on end) see it as a spiritual retreat and bask in Him the while.

And change the phone number and give it to no one, please!

One other thing occurred as I was weeding the garden. The problem with quoting Scripture is that few see it in context. Jesus speaks differently to differnet people in different situations and you need to see that. He treats us as individuals. And I would think that in this case it would be eg “get thee behind me satan” as is inscribed on the Benedictine Crucifix.

Blessings and peace