Kardia
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Posts: 20
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« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2005, 05:59:04 AM » |
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Dear Aurelia:
My heart goes out to you during this time. I know that it may not decrease the pain, but knowing that there are others that go through similar situations can at least help you know you are not alone. My three children (the youngest is just turning 18) have all decided I have "joined a cult", and have completely turned against me --- they attend a pop-psychology golden-boy church, that is about six years old. It is so sad, because they are the ones being "brainwashed". I've since been told that their church has requested to "take a tour" of my parish. If it is used the same way I've seen other "interviews" done, they go and talk with pastors/priest, and make a movie with commentaries by their 'pastor', telling what he believes to be false teaching. It is put up on a big screen, with rock music intermittently used for accent!
I don't know how old your children are -- I wish I could have had the Church while my children were younger, but I trust that God brought me Home at the right time, and that He will use my life to His Glory, not mine. If my journey can be used to help others, then I pray I have the strength to offer up my life to His decisions, how it can be used to bring others to the Truth, or help others on their journey.
I've literally lost nearly everything that was previously dear to me. I've lost friendships, all of the contacts with friends from my last church, my family, have lost all income, transportation. I've even had attacks by people in the first Orthodox community in which I became involved. (I've since been assured that I am not the first to suffer abuse from that particular group). But I know that I am Home. Your decision to convert may very well bring you the hardest trials of your life. I found myself at home, alone, extremely ill, no phone, no car, no contact....hanging on, wondering what was going to happen. But God pulled me through, I wouldn't give up. Miraculously, I have found a wonderful parish, and will soon be baptized, before Holy Week. It is wondrous. I'm meeting amazing, supportive Orthodox people, and now have a loving, compassionate priest. God has met my needs -- I reached a point of having to trust Him for EVERYTHING. And perhaps that is where I had to wind up.
I don't know how old your children are -- I wish I could have had the Church while my children were younger, but I trust that God brought me Home at the right time, and that He will use my life to His Glory, not mine. If my journey can be used to help others, then I pray I have the strength to offer up my life to His decisions, how it can be used to bring others to the Truth, or help others on their journey.
My prayers are with you. Converting affects everything -- as it should be. How we respond to what happens, that is our opportunity for our Faith to grow. The adversary doesn't want us to make it, and uses circumstances and people to discourage us. But God is always Faithful.
The parable of the seed, planted in sand (I think that's the first one), then rocks, then fertile ground --- Jesus compared the seed landing on rock as the one that hears the Word, responds strongly, but is knocked over when "time of testing comes." As long as we determine to be "fertile ground", the Word can take root, and we can make it throgh the trials. My prayers for you are for strength, to withstand the "time of testing". God Bless you.
Kardia
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