It always amazes me how our Lord will place things and people that we need in our lives in unusual ways.
I hope things get better for you soon.
If your Home is Paid For, Save Cash for Property Taxes...
TT
Look out Zimbabwe... here we come (it’s Obama’s “Dream” Come True)
And I know exactly what you mean. I'm not in any sort of pain, but I'm anxious and angry almost every waking moment. I'm witnessing the destruction of this great nation -- and its Judeo-Christian heritage -- right before my eyes. It makes me ill.
I just came back from a long walk out in the desert. I'm feeling a little better now. I hope you can find a way to set your mind at ease.
All the best!
Thank God he sent you Susan today. She sounds like a angel sent from Heaven to be a blessing for a hurting soul like you
I pray that one day soon... YOU may be a Susan for someone else.
In the meantime... prayers up. Your story reminds me that the Holiday season (now here) is often a time of heartache and despair for so many.
Prayers for you.
In the end, when things are at their darkest, we depend on each other for support and strength. Whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers, it’s our own humanity that has to keep us strong.
How beautiful, Marie. I’m so sorry you’re having such a bad time. It’s been much the same for me over the last four years, and it’s always such a blessing whenever someone gives of themselves the way Susan did.
Thank you for sharing that. I’m going to make a point of being kind even when I’m having an absolutely lousy day... you really never know how the other person is doing at that moment. I’ve a firm believer that even a small kindness at the right time can turn someone’s day, or life, around.
G-d bless you, Marie. I’ll keep you in my prayers, and I hope that the bad gives way to good for you, and soon.
Thank you, Marie.
And I hope things improve soon for you.
Do you want to vent to us? You can.
I knew a priest who used to tell the story of how he ended up in Brazil. He didn’t know the language and he was second-guessing his decision. Everything was wrong.
There was a woman whose husband had died several years earlier and she couldn’t get over her grief. No one knew how to help her.
One day the priest was in the church telling God how miserable he was and how he wanted to go home when this woman walked in and sat beside him. She started talking and talked for over an hour and he didn’t understand a word she said but responded to her expressions.
After that the woman was fine and they gave him all the credit and he said all I did was sit there and listen. Sometimes that is what it takes.
Is there any way we can help out besides prayer?
II Corinthians 12:4-10. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Then he read us this story. I do not know if it is true; I don't care, but the message behind it is true.
Our entire congregation was pretty emotional at the end of it. It is a bit long to post on FR, so I will provide the link
The Thorn Bouquet As an aside, I've come to find that what I thought were the most difficult and trying times in my life, were actually my greatest Blessings. I just didn't have God's foresight when I was enduring receiving them....it was only until I had the hindsight I could really see.
Thanks for posting this. It is heartening to me and gives me hope.
If she worked a commercial call center, she would have been fired for spending so much time on the call.
“We have G*d and we have each other”.
No truer words ever said! Yes, we do. I’m in your corner, Marie. Hugs, Mom
What a powerful story, thank you for posting it.
I figure when ya boil everything down, whatever troubles we may have don’t account for much, if we have food in our stomachs and a roof over our heads.
We are here for three things. To love God, to love each other, and to be loved. I think for many of us, we have a hard time letting others love us, or to let someone else carry some of our load, if only for a moment.
Thank you again for sharing and I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. :)
Don't feel alone. My second cousin was killed in an auto accident last Friday. His sister and I are as close as any kin can be, and we are asking God how this could have happened. Sometimes there are no answers, except for us to turn back and reconsecrate ourselves to Him.
Thank you, Marie, for sharing your story. I sadly fear that all the Susans out there are getting more and more rejections these days. The economy is just wretched. I’m with you: I’ve determined that I will be cutting back on charitable giving. I will definitely still be tithing faithfully, but beyond Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army, I am pretty much going to be keeping my wallet closed. I was so frustrated after the election that I concluded if people want more government, they can have it. Let Obama take care of them. Cynical, I know.
I am so glad you had the opportunity to unburden yourself to a kind and understanding stranger today. My guess is that she has heard it all. You will pass along that kindness to someone else. You may not be able to *do* anything, but you will be a help just by listening and offering words of understanding and encouragement.
I wish you and yours a pleasant and warm Thanksgiving tomorrow!
I went through a terrible few years about 20 years ago, and I thank God every day for the experience, even though I didn’t think I’d make it through at the time. I had experiences like Marie describes, and it has made me more committed to treating everyone with kindness at every opportunity. My bleak years taught me real humility as well, and I learned to turn my life over to God. They also made me a lot stronger. Hang in there Marie. God shines through in mysterious ways—look for his Grace all around you. The signs may be small, but they are there. God Bless you.
I’ll pray for you and also give thanks for the beautiful story of one of God’s children reaching out to another. I’ve been on both sides and I can assert that Susan got much more out of it than you did. I’m borderline introverted and it is painful to get too close to others, but the times that i have reached out to someone hurting and in some sort of spiritual need, I have had some of my happiest moments. May God protect and guide you through your hard times and may you recognize the presence of His love for you.