I’m not religious, at least I don’t think I am. After my dear mother wielded Catholicism like a machete, I’ve hung up my bible for good, at least I think I have.
I was 40 before realizing, God wouldn’t strike me dead if I didn’t eat my vegetables.
But then enter…The Believers, that soul band who rocks for God, surrounding me in their different modes of faith and fortitude.
We have Jane, who looks like an angel in casual pants, I’m pretty sure has a direct line to that power, greater than ourselves, the way she smiles like a cat who swallowed the canary, but still knows where he is. I think this whenever I see her, which is usually when I’m on my knees in such distress, needing to be helped up.
Then there’s Bonnie, in Cleveland, who’s a Hari Krishna, complete with pretty paint all over her pretty face, chanting, dancing, texting me mantras, to heal and lift, she’ll say….to soothe the Adiatmik, the physical and mental pain we endure on this earth.
Last but not least, Sonia, an avid Christian who, when diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, immediately flew to Lourdes convinced the waters healed her, and coincidently (or not), is now, cancer free.
This group has faith-plus, withstanding winds of massive proportions.
After not being able to walk for two weeks, which humbled me more than I can say, cradled in the prayers of these people who rode in like the spiritual cavalry, convinced, their intercessions would make me better.
Hmm, I am better…back on my feet, though tenderly, able to walk a little, to buy bread and fruit, like a cranky monk, who’s been on the disabled list, screaming obscenities at the Apostles my mother claimed knowing personally .
It didn’t hurt either, that when I ran out of library books, to pluck from my shelf, an old Anne Lamott, also a Believer, who laces the Bible through her prose in digestible layman’s language.
There are no coincidences, she says, just God working anonymously, as I re-read her book, Grace Eventually; Thoughts On Faith.
And what I love most about her writing is, she humbly shares when she stumbles, since she too, will shake her fist and yell, God Almighty, what were you thinking?
Jesus, for God’s sake, are you home?
All I know is, after worrying about crucial things like crows feet and hammer toes, my flat, non-existing ass and, you still think I’m pretty, don’t ya…being able to walk again has opened my eyes wider than they’ve ever been.
However….
I’m not religious, at least, I don’t think I am.
SB
Not bad to have all bases covered…so to speak.
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I wish I had faith like that…I don’t. I really don’t. Sigh
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Me too.
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Wish you could buy it. Or better yet, order it online, in bulk.
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Maybe if we weren’t bullied into faith, we would have more. I completely understand your battle.
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Bullied is a perfect word.
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Being dependent on others is not easy, but I had people of faith attending me when I couldn’t walk. They were such a blessing. I’m so glad you are able to get around now, even if it isn’t up to your standards yet.
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I’m so much better. A miracle in itself. I want to have that kind of faith. I don’t know how they do it. It’s very impressive
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I believe in miracles!
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That’s a sign of faith. Have to think about this Faith business more. 🙂
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I think it’s worth your consideration. Just mho.
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Compare faith with gullability.
The outlandish claims of religion are carefully designed to be untestable. No prizes for guessing why. How supposedly intelligent people can believe such utter clap-trap is beyond me. I am not altogether convinced that they do. I think there is a huge dollop of bet-edging involved. E.G. why do good Christians fear death or use it as a punishment for criminals? Neither suggest much faith in an afterlife.
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Sorry, I meant gullibility.
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Didn’t even catch that.
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Seems we’ve hit a nerve Mick. It’s just a blog post. A Susannah special is all. 🙂
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No nerve of mine. You know I like to encourage folk to challenge the accepted view. As ever, I enjoyed reading your piece.
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Thanks. Have a great weekend.
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I’m also a waiver when it comes to faith. I want to believe, I really do. Definitely a see-saw conundrum.
You have such a gift with your blog titles.
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Thanks Skinny. Love the word conundrum.
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I am no longer religious…gave that up for Lent…
I am spiritual, vastly so, and it has changed my life forever…
Neale Donald Walsh, “Conversations With God, Book 1”, changed me forever. It seems very Godly that my son gave me the book that changed my life after I spent years helping him to understand how the spiritual works.
Then, Dear Pam Grout, author, blogger, and Mollie Player (WordPress), both have helped me understand myself.
The help is all around us. i have even done my part to help some. Also, surviving my stroke was an act of God; even the doctors are out on that one.
Finally, you are still very pretty, beautiful, Susannah.
Scott
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Thank you. I appreciate what you wrote.
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Welcome, love to share those thoughts.
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