 Spiritual: June 03, 2009 Issue [#3090] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Sophurky  
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Hi, I'm Sophurky ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. This week we'll talk about the power of leaning on our spiritual communities when facing difficult times.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Finding Strength During the Hard Times
A lot of people I know tell me they are spiritual, but not religious. They usually do so as an explanation for why they are not part of any organized spiritual community, as they know that I am. I thank them for sharing  and tell them I am the same -- valuing spiritual searching over religious certainty. "They why do you go to church every Sunday?" they ask, assuming that if I am more spiritual than religious, as they are, then I too would choose NOT to be part of any organized faith group. To which I reply, "Well, for one thing, in addition to appreciating the spiritual value of gathering for worship with a group of people who share my core values, I choose to be part of a faith group because of the community of friendship and support I am able to offer and receive, which is blessing during the good times, and even more importantly, during the harder times of life."
For instance, recently a good friend was diagnosed with cancer. She had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as they could a couple of months ago, and after recovering from the surgery she started chemotherapy. She has a long road ahead of her, and none of us can be certain of how this part of her journey will play itself out. But when I visited her recently, she mentioned that no matter what happens, whether she lives or dies, she feels blessed by the outpouring of love she has has received from family, friends, and most especially her faith community.
I was surprised by hearing her say she felt blessed -- were I in her shoes, I cannot imagine feeling blessed while fighting a life-threatening illness. I can imagine feeling angry and scared, with a healthy dose of self pity and "why me'ing" thrown in for good measure -- but blessed? How can one feel blessed in the midst of such a situation? Luckily I edited my thoughts before speaking and told her that I admired her courage, and wondered if I would be able to feel blessed were I in her situation. She replied that for most of her life she knew that her family and close friends loved and cared for her, and she suspected that others she knew also had affection for her. But until she got sick, she never realized just how much those "others" loved and cared for her, and she has been overwhelmed (in a positive way) by the notes, emails, phone calls, and casseroles that have been pouring in since her diagnosis.
She told me, "Don't get me wrong -- of course I get angry and wonder why this had to happen to me -- I'm a good person, I don't deserve this, and sometimes I am so afraid it takes my breath away. But this has also made me realize how many wonderful people I have in my life, and that's a true blessing in the midst of all the ugliness. I have always been grateful for being part of a community that nurtures my spiritual growth, but I never realized until now that those same people I worship with, week in and week out, really do care about me and have gone out of their way to show that love and care ever since my diagnosis. How can one not feel blessed by such a shower of compassion from so many people?" And at once I realized that she was of course right -- she is truly blessed. Because she knows that she doesn't have to go through this alone -- she has her husband and children, her strong relationship with her God, and the members of her spiritual community to lean on. So whether it's a funny card she gets in the mail on her way out the door to get her chemo, or the phone message waiting for her when she gets home, or the flower delivery on her doorstep when she wakes up in the morning -- she's constantly reminded that there are people are thinking of her, wishing her well, which for her is like being embraced and held up by dozens of pairs of arms. I remember being embraced by similar arms when my mother survived her first cancer battle, and a subsequent recurrence four years later. We live far apart, and when she was diagnosed, both the faith community I was part of, as well as her own, got her through it with prayers, phone calls, funny cards, and well-timed casseroles. And though my father did not survive his cancer, I had the same experience of support and care from both faith communities once again.
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, this is true of any faith community, whether one is Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or Buddhist, etc. -- when members of a faith group are struggling, other members tend to rally around them to lend a hand. And I should also probably insert here that I don't think everyone should be part of an organized faith community -- I realize that for some people that just isn't something that appeals to them, nor does it nurture them as it does me. Certainly not just faith communities offer the kind of support I'm talking about -- so while not everyone is part of a regular worship group, many are part of caring groups who respond in the same way. I think it's part of the spiritual core of all of us -- whether we are regular "church" goers or not, we lend a hand to help hold someone up when they are going through a difficult time. Another friend of mine, who does not consider herself religious but who is certainly very spiritual, is not part of a weekly faith community. But she is part of a book group made up of a dozen women in her town. So when her beloved husband died and she needed assistance, as well as some shoulders to cry on, her book group filled that role beautifully. And for some, simply putting themselves in God's hands and letting the arms of the Divine hold them also gets them through the hardest times.
So whatever we do, however we do it, I guess my point is that we are truly blessed if we are able to face our difficult life challenges standing with someone else, and being able to lean on them. Whether it's God who fills that role for us, or family and friends, or a spiritual community of which we are a part, or all three -- clinging to our spirituality and, if we are lucky enough to have them, to the people who love us, can turn a the hardest challenges of our lives into blessings in a variety of ways, none the least of which is that they can serve to remind us that we are not alone, that there are other hands there to hold ours and help us through.
Sophurky |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about leaning on your spirituality during tough times. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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I wrote this short poem after supporting a friend through a hard time.
#1529342 by Aimy Lee  |
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#636482 by Not Available. |
And a forum right here on WDC for those dealing with cancer -- either for themselves or a loved one:
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#379018 by Not Available. |
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Now for a few comments about my last newsletter about the spirituality of the desert:
From kimhoward
This is so true about what you said about being in seclusion will make you reflect on life and listen to God's Spirit speaking to you. I sometimes get off to myself with no distractions so that I can become one with our Father.
Yes, seeking out silence and seclusion, closing our mouths and opening our hearts, really can open us up to the Spirit.
     
From Elaine's Beary Limited*~
This is a great idea. I like the thought of being able to shut everything down and working out my life and spirits.
Glad you enjoyed it!
From Katya the Poet 
Another great newsletter. Thought provoking. I found a brief stay in the Arizona desert very inspiring and moving. I like your idea of creating an imaginary, silent desert...an empty, open space into which what is needed might come.
Since for many of us we can't actually go to the desert -- and imaginary one is the next best thing!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated!
Until next time! Sophurky
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