By The Power of the CROSS

The Mystical Journey began when I was in my early thirty's. Within three years my life changed entirely. It started when I purchased, with my birthday money, a "budded cross" which I just had to have at a nearby shrine. I loved the simple wooden appearance and wondered what the significance was of the special design. I placed it in my kitchen, not realizing that it was the "first" step.

A series of events found me praying in desperation, at St. Hedwig's Church in front of an Icon, which at that time, was foreign to me. I needed divine intervention. That prayer was answered, within a week and in a violent upheaval of my life. Later, I saw how necessary it was and how unexpected God's way is, not the way I envisioned the answer to come at all. He knew that I lacked the courage to do what had to be done, and He was determined to change my life and save me, quickly.

The long and short of this story is that it led me to meet a new priest and his family in another religion, in the Orthodox Church. Having been raised a strict Catholic, it was not something that I would have done without divine grace. But low and behold, upon entering that church, when I looked up, there was the "budded" cross. I felt like I had come home.

God does not abandon us in time of need or in time of trouble. He gives us clues, helpers, and sometimes not even ones we would have expected or know. The pieces fell into place, one after the other. All I had to do is trust.

Someone asked me what did Jesus accomplish for His people, leaving one little word out of my blog, a couple of days ago. It was not done intentionally, but as I was pondering what I would say, it just seemed that the answer was enormous, leaving me to not know where to begin. Then, I thought of the cross. Most movies that I've seen, show Jesus looking up, nailed to the cross, saying these words. (Luke 23:34)"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."

That's an understatement I thought, but forgiveness is a great place to begin. A loving Father, came to forgive His children, because He loves them that much and wants us to be with Him for all eternity. That's where we all need to begin.

Giving it another moments thought, that is exactly were we began this entire journey of Lent, "Forgiveness Sunday."

Maybe we should say that more often.

(scripture references are from: The Orthodox Study Bible)

Beyond glue

Sure enough while talking with my mother-in-law, I knew the subject would come up. Just seems you can't avoid it. It's all over the news, radio, and Internet. So, I tried to skirt the issue. But no, she insisted to pursue dragging the guy down, and now where is this family to go without all the snickering, and gossip? Does the media care that children are involved in this mess? Marriage is supposed to be "closed doors," private, between the two of them "period." Okay, so he is renown for the athlete he is, and he has an image to uphold. We are all so shocked to learn the repeated and sordid "so called facts." There are two sides to every story and more than that meets the eye, so we ought not judge.

Obviously, there are problems that exist, that are not our business. Adultery is not a new condition but one we find even the Lord had something to say about as men put woman aside, divorcing them for sometimes younger gals. See (Luke 16:18, permanence of marriage is made the standard).

The standard does "not imply" that all marriages are made in heaven, and there is room for "compassion" as shown through the church. There is a time to let go, if it just doesn't work out. It is not a simple process, which comes with a high cost. Divorce is a separation, regardless of the reason. It is a painful experience for the entire family, and never to be taken lightly.

Statistics say that more than fifty percent of marriages fail. Sadly, many have lost their moral compass in this culture, lacking accountability to their relationship. Unresolved problems end up in distance and brokenness.

Like everything else, marriage must have a good foundation, called Truth. If it is not based on truth, you are living a lie.

It must be nourished. Without good food it will be starved off. If attention is the problem, or communication, it will be found somewhere else. Often there are many and different diversions. Preoccupation with "other things" that are more important than your spouse, may be a first sign of the impending separation.

When you were first in love you had many secrets, and couldn't wait to see each other. Just to hear his voice over the phone was special. Did it take so much work then?

Sometimes you can get it back. It all depends on how hard you both want to work at it. Other times, the trust is broken, a trust that said "I will never let you down, and I can depend on you no matter what." It must be mutual. If not, it's not the end of the world, however difficult, move on. Your life is not ended, just changed.

Dealing with the shock is another matter. There is room for forgiveness. Then, there is room for forgiveness, but. There are cases where you just can't put the pieces together again.

Open and honest communication is what's needed.

Broken people need messages of hope and comfort. Suffering is not a picnic. Think about that the next time you may want to drag someone through the mud who is already drowning in "sorrow, loneliness, and indecision. Yet, it seems you can't wait to talk about it.

Regardless of who's at fault, sometimes love and trust is lost and you just can't get it back.

Maybe he just thought he could have his cake and eat it too? I doubt it, most men who have happy marriages, do not cheat on their wives. They can't wait to share everything with them. Better we change the subject, it's Christmas after all, and for some out there it just won't be Merry, no matter how much money or youth they have.