Woke up this morning, read the comments on yesterday's post, and am completely moved by each one. I love starting off the day with moist eyes and a warmed heart. Usually that comes from spending some humbling time with the Lord, but this morning, you have humbled me. What a great bunch of women––and mothers––you all are! And how glad I am to know you through the wonderful blogs you write. To say nothing of your thoughtful comments on mine.
Anyway, sorry to go mushy on you, but that's how it hit me. And what I'd wanted to do was say how much I loved Crystal and Siobhan and liked Chicago Lee on American Idol last night. But most of all, I needed to talk about a few lines that were pointed out to me the other day from Mitch Ablom's book, "Have a Little Faith." I thought it was a pretty good book when I read it, but these lines resonated with me more when I heard a friend quote them. Here they are, from the mouth of the character who is a rabbi:
"I had a doctor once who was an atheist. Did I ever tell you about him?"
No. (Ablom, the auhor, speaking)
"This doctor, he liked to jab me and my beliefs. He used to schedule my appointments deliberately on Saturdays, so I would have to call the receptionist and explain why, because of my religion, that wouldn't work."
Nice guy, I said.
"Anyhow, one day, I read in the paper that his brother had died. So I made a condolence call."
After the way he treated you?
"In this job," the Reb said, "you don't retaliate."
I laughed.
"So I go to his house, and he sees me. I can tell he is upset. I tell him I am sorry for his loss. And he says, with an angry face, 'I envy you.'
"Why do you envy me?" I said.
"Because when you lose someone you love, you can curse God. You can yell. You can blame him. You can demand to know why. But I don't believe in God. I'm a doctor! And I couldn't help my brother!'
"He was near tears. 'Who do I blame?' he kept asking me. 'There is no God. I can only blame myself.'"
The Reb's face tightened, as if in pain.
"That," he said softly, "is a terrible self-indictment."
Worse than an unanswered prayer?
"Oh yes. It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody's out there."
I'm grateful for my knowledge that God is out there to say no...and on occasion, yes.
One of our old friends from Southern California died this week, too young. I don't know why he had to suffer like he did, or why his wife (who loves him dearly) has to be alone now, or why his children and students and loved ones won't be able to gain strength and humor and inspiration from him, for a season. But I'm glad that God is out there.
And I'm glad all of you are, too.
=)
PS. Hope St. Patrick's Day treats you well!
8 comments:
I was looking out my front window this morning- watching a funeral and feeling so sorry for the people who were consoling each other, it's the one hard thing about living across the street form the church, and then I read your blog. Thanks for the reminder that Heavenly Father sometimes does say no for a wise purpose.
We don't always know or understand the workings of our Heavenly Father, and we're not supposed to. If we understood and always had the answers to the hard questions of life there would be no need for faith or miracles. Opposition in all things, right?
Thank you for that post. I never thought of it in quite that way. It was a good thought. And thank YOU for brightening my days. It's good to know you're out there.
You are like the sun in my life. I can depend on a line or two from you every day. And blog friends ROCK!
That little dialogue really puts things into perspective! At least we know He is there. I always saw it as a lack of faith when someone questions God...but at least they question Him, huh?
True, God doesn't always answer our prayers as we would like him to, but when he does, it renews our faith. I always believe that God lets earthly things evolve according to natural laws, but occaisinally he does intervene and when he does we are humbled and eternally grateful. It is amazing to me how unbearable pain can suddenly subside enough to be able to sleep through the night, due to a special blessing by the priesthood. We all have experiences like that. Our faith increases and I honestly believe that it is through our own faith that these things can happen.
Thanks for this post, Sue, it really did make me think. We just need to realize that sometimes he does say no, but even though it might be hard for us to understand, there truly is a reason that God alone knows.
sometimes getting a Yes is harder than a No. Yes requires action and often scares me. Nevertheless I am grateful to know that He is in charge. and better even that He loves me.
This is such a beautiful post. I know we all appreciate you too.
I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. I know your friendship will be something that will help life them up during this time...
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