Posted on 10/27/2012 5:22:18 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
It was just before sunrise when Bernie Kern wheeled himself to an outdoor plaza at Laguna Honda Hospital for his usual morning cigarette. He'd been living in the hospital for five years, but four decades of homelessness before that had left him with an enduring affection for the early morning chill and quiet.
The cigarette was done in a few minutes. It was his last.
Kern was found peacefully slumped in his wheelchair just outside the elevator, his heart given out from the long years on the streets.
That was Oct. 9. He was 90.
Having long outlived every relative he knew, there was no family to claim him. The normal city policy in such cases is to cremate him along with other unclaimed indigents, then scatter his ashes into the ocean with all the others on a routine run by a city-hired boat.
.... He was born in New York City, and when he was 8 his father abandoned his mother - who put Kern, his two brothers and one sister into an orphanage. The family reunited when the mother remarried, but the drunken stepfather beat the children.
As a young man Kern worked at Horn and Hardart, the first food service automat in New York and the place where he said he met Fitzgerald. Then came World War II, when he was injured as an Army private in Europe.
...."I'm sure he had PTSD from his time in World War II," said Kelly. "His isolation, not trusting people, inability to cope back in society, refusal of treatment - it all fit."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
It is a heavy load, but at least I am not merciless to the suffering
If you’re angry with God, it’s exctly a slap in the face that you need. Why? Because being angry with God is a HUGE waste of time.
believe me, I have had all those thoughts but keep coming back to His promises.
You couldn’t possibly bear what I have
My point is that we blame God for things when He gave us the tools to help him with the fight. I get tired of hearing people blame God when so many of us stand on the side lines and do nothing for ourselves.
wrong and very presumptuous of you
well then I suppose I should thank you for your “help”
“..but keep coming back to His promises.”
Amen to that. I was trying to find that verse on Jacob wrestling with the angel. But another one also came up that alluded to a previous post, about wrestling with spritual powers and things not of this world. (As if the crap the world throws at us isn’t enough!)
Our pastor said something about the Psalms that is very helpful to me - something like the first part of a Psalm says something about mankind or the world as it is. (How long oh Lord will my enemies prevail?.....Why have you deserted me....). And then the second part of the Psalm is about God. (But you will not forsake me..., etc.) Heck, if David can get pissed at God so can I.
The same pastor was just saying how he was praying awhile back, and ranting at God about something. After awhile he said he heard “a still small voice” that said “Do you love me?” Not the answer that he was looking for, and completely off topic, but he stopped and smiled and said “Yes, of course”. And realized that was what mattered. (And in turn I imagine realizing that God loves him as well).
I think that God would rather have you yell and scream and rant at Him in prayer than to just walk away. There is some other verse somewhere that talks about struggling and hashing out scripture in order for the Spirit to give you the meaning.
Prayers for you in your troubles.
thank you, same to you
thank you
prayers of restoration for you
“wrong and very presumptuous of you”
Perhaps it is; but I suppose it might have been more clairified to have said that there is scripture that states that we as human beings war and fight amongst ourselves because we WANT and COVET, and that there is no need for all the strife,killing,and covetousness - that the Lord would take great pleasure in giving us what we want IF WE WOULD ASK FOR IT, and not ask amiss; intending only to waste it on our lusts. - There are people who honestly don’t want a lot of this world’s material goods; being a bit poor isn’t a disgrace, nor is it an indictment of God.
Heavenly Father why? Why would a veteran have to live lonely and poverty stricken for all these years? What about providing for him out of your riches?
From experience working with Rescue Missions I can assure you many (not all) are in their situation based upon their own choices.
You are spot-on, lady. No attacks from this corner, only agreement.
Thank God instead. Always start with Him. Always end with Him.
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