Re: Find it Post it

Loquat1, it's not my goal to be correct about anything. I'm just passing along what I have learned by attending services, study groups, and in conversations with my religious betters. I'm just passing it along. What I read is scary and sad because it's like this silent scream for help. I commented that studying with a priest or rabbi would be helpful and that seems to be a sore point. I can learn from anyone who practices what they're preaching, particularly if they are practicing with joy. But, I cannot learn from anyone that uses Scriptures to support their personal agendas because I tried doing that, myself, all for naught.

I've learned to "accept" things that I may not agree with or like because they might not fit my personal agenda. I don't like a lot of things that I have to work on. But, I have a choice. God has given me the opportunity to open my eyes, open my ears, and actually make changes for myself according to His Will, rather than my own. I often fall short and stumble. I learn by scraping my knees when I fall or burning my hand on the hot stove. And, I had to practice the art of acceptance - how to "accept" instruction from someone who knows far more than I do, and "acceptance" of personal flaws that I need to work on, every day. Saying, "I'm sorry, I was wrong," has been one of the hardest things for me to practice, but it gets easier, each day.

Accepting that it's God's Will instead of my own has been (and, continues to be) the biggest challenge for me, personally.

to add this: And, there is something very important that I have learned and that is that I need to work on overcoming my fears. My fear of doing something wrong took precedence over helping other people. Churches help members of the community, all the time, and I was afraid that I would make a mistake, be exposed as the imperfect person that I am, and suffer ridicule for being imperfect and flawed. Well, well, well........that's where this whole concept of "doing" rather than "saying" became something mystical. Never have I experienced such humble joy as when I've been involved in something hands-on. It brings it all home to me and it is truly beautiful.