First, and foremost, although I did not have an opportunity to post my feelings about American Idol this week - each of those that I wanted to see get kicked off did in fact get kicked off. That being said, it has been a very strange week for me with everything going on with my grandmother. It has made me think alot about religion, spiratuality and God.
When I was talking with my mother the other night she pointed out that she was happy to know that she can pray to God for guidance and support. I am always surprised that people find themselves praying to God when they need help and when things are not going well. Does this actually help? Or is it merely a way to make yourself think that you are doing something - in a situation that you clearly have no control over.
Religious people always say that God has a plan for us. Silly, but I am always amazed how God's plan could allow anyone to suffer or anyone to go through what so many people go through on a daily basis. Those same people who talk about "God's plan" also say that the pain and suffering is part of the overall plan, but how can that be? How can a plan actually include people being hurt? What is the greater goal?
I was raised a religious person and even throughout my years in law school I attended church. I attended until the priest that I befriended became sick with cancer and could no longer perform the masses. This really hurt me because my grandfather had passed away a few years earlier from cancer. How can this be part of the plan?
Is god's plan really to see how many people he can make suffer before the whole world has had enough?
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And if God has a plan, what does praying accomplish? When you pray in these situations, aren't you asking God to change his plan? And if there is a God, who are we to ask him to change his plan?
"What kind of mother
Leaves a child in the traffic
Turning tricks in the dark
What kind of God?"
- H, "When I Meet God"
I suspect alot of people do pray to feel like they have some control over a situation they have no control of. I pray to have someone to talk to. Sometimes I don't want to get into the whole thing with my friends, which has gotten me into trouble before.
But Jamie, I'm awfully sorry you're going through this. I'm sorry your grandma is in pain.
Actually, interestingly enough, grandma is in no pain. This happened and that is it. She had a mini-stroke, no problems, went in and found out that there is an aneurysm. It needs to be operated on and she also has a leaky valve (sounds like plumbing). As a result she needs open heart surgery. They cannot do anything for 6 months (because of the stroke) and I think my grandma is leaning towards not having the surgery done - people just are not the same after such a surgery.
With the aneurysm...it happens. Probably most of us are walking around with one in our head. If it goes, then that is it. No pain, no problems, it is over.
Let me preface this by saying that I am sorry that your Grandmother is ill and do hope that she gets better. Now for the God thing.
Consider this, maybe God doesn't want to hear from us only when things aren't going well. He wants to hear from you all the time. He wants to know you. I pray when things are going great to say my thank yous and I'm not worthies. As far as His plan and suffering goes, some people believe that we go through these trying to times as means to bring us closer to God. To realize that He is in control and perhaps build a closer relationship with Him via prayer and better living. And prayer can change things if you just ask. But remember just because you ask does not mean you will get the answer you want.
When I pray for people who are going through hard times I always ask that they use it as an opportunity to become closer to God, to know Him better and learn His will for their lives.
Ultimately whether you believe in god or not, I think it's clear that for the most part religion helps people. It comforts them, makes them feel there is someone else there when times are tough, or someone else to celebrate with when times are good.
Some people would say just thinking about your grandmother and all that is wonderful about her is prayer in itself.
Prayer can work if you believe in it. If you don't you'd call it coincidence or fate.
Your grandmother is making a tough decision, but a brave one and I can't help but admire her all the more for it, more even than when I saw her beautiful shag carpet for the first time.
shag carpet is on the way back in style! Soon, you too will want your apartment with shag carpet - grandma can probably still hook you up!
I pray for God to deliver them through what is happening, not out of it.
Except I could probably lose my dogs in it!
Thats a good point. Maybe you can dye the dogs the same color. That would be sweet! People would come over and be like...what the f?
I honestly think that it is neat to have so many opinions about religion. Some are quite religious, some are just comveniently religious, some just dont care. It is nice to be in a world here where it doesn't matter what your beliefs are. Now being in Israel/Palestine or the middle east...I would love to know what God's plan is about that.
Israel/Palestine is so easy! Just put a Walmart there! Walmart brings all communities together.
I am a pluarist when it comes to religion.
Everyone has a blueprint created before birth. That blueprint may include success and happiness or pain and suffering. It is important for all of us throughout our lives to experience different sensations and many extremes.
I know it's difficult to see a person you love and see them in pain. But, in the end that struggle will make us all stronger. Those are lessons and feelings we can take with us for the rest of our life and after life.
God didn't make life easy. We all know that. And he doesn't get pleasure our of people in pain. But, he does gain a better understanding of emotion.
My heartaches for your Grandma, Jamie. She is a strong lady. And she has lived a fantastic life and will continue to do so up until the day she leaves this Earth. Celebrate her now! Not before it's too late.
jam- just read about your grandmother. she's an amazing woman. i'm so sorry to hear about your family's troubles and hope things are well. you're in my thoughts.
The problem with religion and the relationship one has with God, is how other people try to make into a social event.
I don't pretend to be a church goer but if it helps you feel good, have fun. I like to pick my own way. My way works out about the same as everyone else's and I feel good about it.
I think one thing to note is that everyone talks to themself at times. We all have wishes and fears and hopes that we debate internally. We try to wrap our minds around things. If prayer can help you focus your mind and heart to deal with a situation more's the better.
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