Knytshade
Newly Illumined 1-1-11
Member
 Offline
Faith: Eastern Orthodox
Jurisdiction: ROCOR - Midwest Diocese
Posts: 135
Beloved Michael: my patron--I thank God for you!
|
 |
« on: February 21, 2010, 12:04:12 AM » |
|
Treasured friends, Father didn't have me fast during Nativity, but I did ask him at class a couple days ago what he'd recommend b/c I wanted (felt like I needed) to be doing -something-. So, atop from praying / repentence and a few other things, he's starting me off slow and gradual (baby steps): no meat at all and no fish on Wed. & Fri. There is also yet another thing, one I feel that is bigger than perhaps even that, and thought about for awhile that I thought might make a good thing to do during Lent. I asked Father if I could try to quit smoking for Lent---I know for a 100% fact that that will require a lot out of me and it will not be easy. He's advised me to pray to the Lord for strength and thinks it will be very good for me. I just smoked my last one about 30 minutes ago (I finished off the last pack in the carton I had bought a week prior, so wanted to get them all done so they are not in my house), so now it begins and I am looking forward, hopeful this will help me not only understand Lent and its' meaning, but to also help me grow as a human being and draw closer to the Lord as I continue with my catechumenate. Friends, I know the Lord says to not draw any attention to yourself when you are fasting, and I am not trying to (and I most certainly hope it doesn't appear that way!), but this is my first (guess you could say) 'real' one, so it is like a brand new thing for me and therefore, a lot of uncharted waters so to speak. By this all I really wish to do is humbly ask for your prayers for the necessary strength to see this through as I very much want it to. Thank you for listening to me--it means a lot.  In Christ, Michaela (Karen) |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"If you leave me free in my religion, I will be very eager to carry out your commands. But if you try to force me to change my faith, I will first surrender my head. I was born a Christian and a Christian I shall die."
--St. John the Russian to his Turkish master
|
|
|
|
Schultz
|
|
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2010, 12:09:09 AM » |
|
Dear Sister in Christ,
I know how hard this is; I still "steal" a smoke every now and then after "quitting" a few years ago.
Lord, have mercy on your handmaiden!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Hearing a nun's confession is like being stoned to death with popcorn." --Abp. Fulton Sheen
|
|
|
|
GabrieltheCelt
|
|
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2010, 12:38:23 AM » |
|
Lord, have mercy upon Thy handmaiden!
Quitin' ain't easy, that's for sure. It took me about six months, but it's been nearly 10 years! You can do it, sister!
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: February 21, 2010, 12:38:41 AM by GabrieltheCelt »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
HandmaidenofGod
|
|
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2010, 01:34:58 AM » |
|
Lord have mercy!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jer 29:11
|
|
|
|
ozgeorge
|
|
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2010, 04:45:11 AM » |
|
Lord have mercy and be your Help.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.
|
|
|
Michał Kalina
proud Podlachian Belarusian parajournalistic engineer in spe
Section Moderator
Hypatos
Offline
Faith: Christian
Jurisdiction: Diocese of Białystok and Gdańsk / Diocese of Warsaw and Bielsk Podlaski
Posts: 15,420
OC.net's trickster
|
|
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2010, 05:43:21 PM » |
|
Lord, have mercy!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
formerly known as mikeDespite being a Polish citizen I am not a Pole.  Long live Belarus! "It's my constitutional right!" |
|
|
Heorhij
Hoplitarches
Offline
Faith: Orthodox
Jurisdiction: GOA, for now, but my heart belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Posts: 8,576
|
|
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2010, 05:51:41 PM » |
|
Lord, have mercy!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Love never fails.
|
|
|
Knytshade
Newly Illumined 1-1-11
Member
Offline
Faith: Eastern Orthodox
Jurisdiction: ROCOR - Midwest Diocese
Posts: 135
Beloved Michael: my patron--I thank God for you!
|
|
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2010, 08:48:45 PM » |
|
I'd like to say 'thank you' to everyone for your prayers. I kinda cheated today, after going only 2 days w/out any real trouble. I feel terrible and ashamed, but then I got to thinking-- 'this is Lent: it's about moderation, repentence, forgiveness, & prayer right?'. Well, I ain't gonna stop, and I am not sure how Father will react, but I kind of feel a bit on the weak side b/c I didn't hold out longer than I thought I could--I am -really- determined to make this work: I want to do this because it -is- a challenge and would make a difference in me & require a lot of personal sacrifice, but I perhaps underestimated just how challenging and powerful it was and have allowed my own pride to get into the way here, and for that, I am truly ashamed. Perhaps I am expecting too much of myself?!  I do not mean to pour myself out like this and believe me I've been praying about this off-n-on all day nor is this me making excuses: I know what I have done and I accept the responsibility and consequences for my actions--is probably why I feel so terrible. I'm sorry to ramble on like this but I wanted to thank everyone--the prayers -do- mean a lot! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"If you leave me free in my religion, I will be very eager to carry out your commands. But if you try to force me to change my faith, I will first surrender my head. I was born a Christian and a Christian I shall die."
--St. John the Russian to his Turkish master
|
|
|
|
SolEX01
|
|
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2010, 12:20:27 AM » |
|
Lord have Mercy.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Alveus Lacuna
|
|
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2010, 12:25:15 AM » |
|
God will help you through it. He's helping me quit right now too, and it's happening gradually over many months. I still have nights where I snap and have one, but overall I've managed to avoid them most days.
Lord, have mercy and help your handmaiden!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
PeterTheAleut
The Right Blowhard Peter the Furtive of Yetts O'Muckhart
Section Moderator
Exarchos
Offline
Faith: Orthodox Christian
Jurisdiction: OCA
Posts: 26,033
EXTERMINATE!
|
|
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2010, 11:43:06 PM » |
|
Lord, have mercy!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Lauren_Elisse
Member
Offline
Faith: Antiochian Orthodox
Jurisdiction: United States
Posts: 261
|
|
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2010, 01:35:12 AM » |
|
May the Lord have mercy on you and provide you with strength and guidance.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
|
|
|
|
