C
CentralFLJames
Guest
I just wanted to add a few comments about your sister.
It is normal and healthy for your sister to be concerned about you and to ask questions. She is concerned for you but it is a common social dynamic for those close to us to feel “anxieties” or discomfort anytime the status quo is upset. By taking steps to change your faith (really just mature your existing Christian Faith to its fullness in teaching) you are changing the group dynamic of your home and those relationally bound to you. Don’t think this is a thing that is related to just becoming Catholic. It is the exact same thing that happens when a sibling wants to marry or even wants to loose weight. If one is particularly close to a sibling they will naturally want to cling to the way things currently exist since that is their comfort zone. I know of so many people for example who get familial “push back” when they try to start a rigorous and serious weight loss and health program. It raises the standards and calls into question everyone else’s position in the social pecking order and some will want to sabotage efforts simply because they like the status quo and feel relationally threatened by change. They fear they will be isolated and left behind etc. and have a loss of relational closeness or suffer estrangement.
This is an excellent time to bring your sister in with you or at least get her thinking about it too. But understand the anxiety she is going through in seeing the world as she was comfortable with it suddenly “Change”. It’s stressful for her and its tug of war with wanting the best for you, being protective and supportive but also feeling a certain anxiety that she is losing a relational bond in some way. You need to reassure her that you are all family and if anything you expect that it will be better than ever before.
I bet you get her to convert to.
James
It is normal and healthy for your sister to be concerned about you and to ask questions. She is concerned for you but it is a common social dynamic for those close to us to feel “anxieties” or discomfort anytime the status quo is upset. By taking steps to change your faith (really just mature your existing Christian Faith to its fullness in teaching) you are changing the group dynamic of your home and those relationally bound to you. Don’t think this is a thing that is related to just becoming Catholic. It is the exact same thing that happens when a sibling wants to marry or even wants to loose weight. If one is particularly close to a sibling they will naturally want to cling to the way things currently exist since that is their comfort zone. I know of so many people for example who get familial “push back” when they try to start a rigorous and serious weight loss and health program. It raises the standards and calls into question everyone else’s position in the social pecking order and some will want to sabotage efforts simply because they like the status quo and feel relationally threatened by change. They fear they will be isolated and left behind etc. and have a loss of relational closeness or suffer estrangement.
This is an excellent time to bring your sister in with you or at least get her thinking about it too. But understand the anxiety she is going through in seeing the world as she was comfortable with it suddenly “Change”. It’s stressful for her and its tug of war with wanting the best for you, being protective and supportive but also feeling a certain anxiety that she is losing a relational bond in some way. You need to reassure her that you are all family and if anything you expect that it will be better than ever before.
I bet you get her to convert to.
James