by onacruse 19 Replies latest jw experiences
This last week I've been doing some painting at a care facility. Quadraplegics, schizophrenics, autistics, Down's syndrome.
They come out (or look out, or stare out) of their rooms and "talk" with me while I'm working.
I don't really know how to put this into words, but...
I've got a helluvalot to be thankful for, and "God" has a hellovalot to answer for.
Craig
Craig, I so agree with you on this point. What kind of a God would allow this type of suffering? And we're still supposed to believe that God is love.? My friend Carol has a 2yr old who has had seizures since birth. This child suffers from hospital stays and tests. She gets rehab and a visiting nurse who works w/ her but next big seizure she's back to crawling, not walking and must learn words again. I've seen my sister inlaw near death after years of pain, needing a new liver and the medical profession just left her hanging on... she finally got her liver but why did she have to get the disease in the first place?
Realistically I view diseases as part of life, there is no grand plan or planner.
damn straight he has a lot to answer for.. I'm at the head of the queue
My boy has down syndrome
I cried because I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet. -- Unknown
I'm with you, Tex....for everything there is a reason.....we don't always understand the reason and it's much easier to point a finger than to sit down and try to figure it out.......
Frannie B
Jean Vanier discovered his faith by embracing the unloved. His thoughts are growing my idea of what it really means to be Christian. Some samples of his thoughts:
Yes. You are so right. What kind of God?
I would never let something terrible like that happen to anyone, were it in my power. And I'm supposed to be made in God's image. So how can he?
Right! The only explanation that ever came close to explaining this was the WTBS. This really bothers me. I watched my wife suffer for 28 yrs. from asthma, heart disease, steroid syndromes, etc. Sometimes after coming home from the hospital I would just break down from seeing her suffer so. One time I asked an elder if it was wrong to ask Jehovah if he would just take her (she wanted this) and he said it was wrong.... he will give us the necessary strength. Looking back now it seems he did. I'd be interested in hearing some others' thoughts on this, too. Thanks for the post.
It's awful that they are in an institution! That is horrible!
I provide proprietary care (at home care) for them, and they are able to take the bus, go to program, make their own lunches, help out with dinner, come with us to picnics.... their life is a thousand times better than before! They are happy.
One poor fellow, whois 65 used to be in an institution... he is out, of course, works full time and loves being in the community. He is an incredible person, and is active as hell. Why he was ever in an institution I will never know.
I have lots to be thankful for, too!
Shamus
Having a child w/autism that will probably never function completely independently in the "real world", I can say that his disorder has taught me ALOT. To try to understand people who are "different", to show true compassion & kindness in helping them try to find their way.
My Nick will hopefully never completely understand why he is "different", and he is one happy kid. The people you saw probably weren't unhappy or depressed (I hope). They see things differently, they still have friends. Show them kindness, compassion. Talk to them, befriend them. It will make alot of difference to them, and you'll probably be amazed at how it makes you feel about yourself.
I too consider myself "blessed", just in a different way.
