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JennyM
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| Posted: Jan 12 2010 at 10:48am | IP Logged
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Dear ladies,
I ask you to please pray for myself, my sister, and for my whole family. My sister and her family fell away from the Church years ago and now practice nothing. I am the godmother of her eldest child and have been torn about how to handle it over the years living far away from them. I finally was at my wit's end about everything and wrote her a long email (she is impossible to reach by phone- never answers) explaining my concerns regarding their faith and their children's diets. This is the other issue- we are just all so concerned about their diet and health practices.
These have both been huge concerns for my whole family over the years and any attempt to bring up the subject with my sister results in her treating the other with silence for months or a year- depending on her fancy.
My email evoked a horrible response which I received via email yesterday and which was sent along with my original concerned email to my whole family. She is no where near rational, wholly emotional about it all and defensive, failing to take any responsibility or recognizing these issues. I didn't expect more, but it's still painful to receive such a stinging and sad response.
Please pray that I can be at peace-- I, of course, despise conflict and wasn't looking to stir one up, just doing what I felt absolutely convicted of and that it was the right time for someone to stop tiptoeing around my sister and be honest with her for her family's own good.
I'm continually trying to offer this all over to God and to not be anxious over it or concerned about what everyone else is thinking about the situation, and I am of course hoping that my sister and her family will have a change of heart and do what is best for their family.
Thank you for any prayers! Any encouragement from others who have had to bring up difficult issues like this with family and friends is welcome too!
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 JennyM
Wife to wonderful husband, mama to Anne (12/07), and two precious little ones with God
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 12 2010 at 11:50am | IP Logged
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Praying for you and your family, Jenny.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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joann10
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| Posted: Jan 12 2010 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers, Jenny.
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robinhigh
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| Posted: Jan 12 2010 at 12:15pm | IP Logged
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I had a relative making choices I can't agree with. In the beginning I thought I had to admonish her, with love, in the best ways I knew how... but it caused her to hate me and despise the Catholic faith.
She did not see the "love" behind it... it did absolutely no good at all... when I just let it go and started to love her because she was a child of God, respect her and her opinions, no matter how twisted they may seem, and look at the hurting soul that she is, listen to her, be a friend to her, practice kindness to her, etc... then she became open to MY "opinions" (her famous words) and not so judgemental towards me.
When someone is defensive, admonishing words will never help... but LOVE and understanding will. Our example, prayers, and friendship will lift the person up much more than telling them what they need to change and all the "bad" or "wrong" things they are doing. I also wrote the famous "LETTER"... believe me, it was a giant leap backwards.
Only my 2 cents and experience.. not saying I'm absolutely right... being so far away from her and her children, your best weapon is probably prayer and the suffering and concern you have for them. I try to always remember that every one of us is being shaped and molded by God Himself and no matter what the exterior looks like to us, they may have more beauty hidden in their heart, that God Himself sees and delights in, than those we think are "holy" or "good Christians".
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Chris V
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| Posted: Jan 12 2010 at 12:56pm | IP Logged
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robinhigh wrote:
When someone is defensive, admonishing words will never help... but LOVE and understanding will. Our example, prayers, and friendship will lift the person up much more than telling them what they need to change and all the "bad" or "wrong" things they are doing. |
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I wholeheartedly agree with you ~ and think this is valuable advice.
robinhigh wrote:
I try to always remember that every one of us is being shaped and molded by God Himself and no matter what the exterior looks like to us, they may have more beauty hidden in their heart, that God Himself sees and delights in, than those we think are "holy" or "good Christians". |
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Beautifully said.
You are all in my sincerest prayers.
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Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11)
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SeaStar
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praying for you and all invovled
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Ruth
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Praying!!!
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Ruth
mom to 7 miracles
My family blog
Loreto Rosaries
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 7:38am | IP Logged
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Jenny, praying for all these intentions.
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Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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JennyM
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 9:06am | IP Logged
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Thank you all so much for your prayers! I appreciate them so much!
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JennyM
Wife to wonderful husband, mama to Anne (12/07), and two precious little ones with God
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florasita
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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Jenny I will pray for true conversion for your family in our daily prayers . Sometimes it is easy to be impatient .It can take yrs for people to return to Him .
pray to our Lady every chance you get for those who feel fearful , afraid and unloved .
I 've lost a friend of 28 yrs whom I had to part ways with , it was a terrible painful grief . God wants us to acknowledge our pain and hurts , not hide them . He also calls for us to just pray and not dwell or go on and on . People when in fear need a very gentle touch and our Lady is the one to often bring others to Him . I was one of those people Jenny . I prayed so much about my friend and then He reminded me many people are catholic / christian and just do not even know it yet . Some people may not know until on thier death bed or what about purgatory . He reminded me some people like my friend it can take 7 yrs or 70 yrs to come back to Him . I had to surrender a lot and it does not mean I don't every now and then get caught up in the distraction of what my friend is not doing . It is much more important I am in line with Him on what He is asking of me in the situation .It is not my situation to fix . Look to the story of the prodigal son . The father did not go off worring and leaving home in desperation . He remained the true Father being pateint for the child to return .Believing and knowing we have been a good example and given good advice etc. throughout the yrs that in turn people will learn and make good healthy choices via seeing God in our lives . For me my main discernment is always in the gospel . He has been doing nothing but telling us to follow , do not harden our hearts and go to confession ( cleanse ). Just keep on being the catholic He created you to be Jenny and continue in prayer for your loved ones . Just be example by being you .
I often pray a very simple prayer to our Lady when I know I am distraught and need calming . I simple pray " Momma Mary bestill my heart "~ amen peace to You Jenny
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May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Nina Murphy
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Praying with deep empathy for you, Jenny. You have my support and prayers. 
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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Sarah M
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Oh Jenny. I'm so sorry. Praying for you and for all of them.
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ladybugs
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 2:54pm | IP Logged
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Praying here!
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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stefoodie
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praying for all of you, jenny.
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stef
mom to five
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Mackfam
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I will pray for your intentions, Jenny!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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aussieannie
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Praying as well, Jenny!
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Under Her Starry Mantle
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Carole N.
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Praying for you, Jenny!
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Carole ... in Wales
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my6angels
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I'm praying Jenny!!
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God Bless!
Gina
Wife to Mark (1997)
Mama to Cecilia 10, Savanna 8, Leo 6, Neve 4, Fintan 2 and Aurelia 1 and baby due 9/2010
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Jenn Sal
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Understand and praying!
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Prayers for fallen away family members
