Dear DanielP,
I know it feels weird the first time you miss a Memorial. I felt the same. Infact for the first couple of years we would have our own little Memorial at home. I would make some bread, and I would buy some Kosher wine, I would get fresh flowers and we would read the scriptures, say the prayers and pass the wine. That too felt weird. But at least we felt good about observing it. Now...i go to a local church from time to time and they observe it every Sunday. So we are still observing Christs death, just in a different place. Remember, it doesn't matter where, or how often, but that we do it.
Maybe you could read the passages...that along with a private prayer will probably make you feel tons better. I know that I felt a void when we left the organization. I knew what we were doing was right, but I was raised in the organization, and at 40 years old, my world turns upside down, and am no longer going. Fom going to 5 meetings a week to nothing is quite a shocker. I tell you though..when I finally decided to go to a "church", at the encouragement of my sister, I discovered, that it filled that void. To be again with others who have faith, love God, and are their because their hearts were moving them to be there to be encouraged was a old familiar feeling....however it was so much better, because I was not being judged, I wasn't expected to perform, or to meet their standards.
A couple of Sundays ago infact, I decided to make it my aim to attend once a week on Sundays. I feel so much better, am encouraged WAY more then I had ever been at the hall, and almost always have a tear in my eye at the end of the serman. I do not feel you have to have a religion to have God's favor, but some need the association and encouragement, and I am one of them I guess. I would say that if your not in a position to go to a church, then maybe watching a tv serman like Joel Olstein on Sunday may give you some encouragement...
Anyhow...hang in there...
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
