Not Everyone Believes In Religion, but.....

Not everyone believes in religion or God. That’s fair enough. But I wish people who don’t, would stop attacking and belittling those who do.

Since the death of my husband just over 20 months ago I’ve thought a lot about religion and belief. I was raised a Catholic but as a child I struggled with their doctrine. I asked a lot of questions. Not always appreciated I might add. I drifted away from that faith when I was free to make my decisions. But, I do believe in a ‘here-after’. I’ve experienced too many things in my life to think when we pop off that’s it. I don’t know if I’m right or wrong but it’s what I believe. Whether I’ll see my husband in the ‘next life’ I don’t know. I’d like to think I will. But I don’t rely on that happening to get me through the day to day. Or to help me build a new life. But not everyone is like me.

I’ve learnt a lot about grief over the past 20 month. Particularly the grief that comes with losing a partner. I’ve also learnt a lot from networking with others in the same position as me. For some I’ve met, their belief in God is the only thing keeping them going. The belief that when their turn comes, they will be reunited with their husband sustains them. I feel deeply for these people, because I know first hand what a struggle it can be at times. But most important is this. Without their faith, they would be completely lost.

When we engage with people (particularly on social media), we don’t always know the challenges they are facing. Or, the struggles they are dealing with daily. So before you are tempted to attack someone based on their religious belief, please pause for a moment. Because you don't know if belief and hope is all the person you are attacking has and to take that away from them leaves them with nothing.

It's In The Valley's I Grow

I received this poem from a friend today. I had one of those ‘hit the wall’ day's yesterday. They creep up on me from time to time. So as usual my friends timing was perfect.

I thought I would share it because I know many of my friends are going through tough times. Some, as I am, dealing with grief. Some battling health issues and others just struggling with life. None of us sail through life without having to deal with dark places.

It’s also a good reminder that we learn from experiencing dark places. When we are in them, we often can’t see a way out. We can’t see the light. But if we can take a moment to really think about ourselves for a minute and try to not be consumed by the problem, it's surprising how much strength we gain. In addition. we learn so much about ourselves and how to deal with difficult periods in our life which is a good thing. That's what “It’s In The Valley’s I Grow” says to me.

In times like this I am constantly reminded that for every adversity there is the seed of equivalent or greater benefit. With faith, we will endure.

I hope you enjoy it.

A beautiful poem to help get us through the dark places on our life's journey.

'It's in the Valleys I Grow'
by Jane Eggleston

'Sometimes life seems hard to bear
Full of sorrow and woe
It's then I have to remember that it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain
I would never appreciate Gods love
And would be living in vain

I have so much to learn
And my Growth  is very slow
Sometimes I need the mountain tops
But it's in the valleys I grow

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do
But I am very sure of one thing
My Lord will see me through

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death
His victory was satan's loss

Forgive me Lord for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow

Continue to strengthen me , Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way
Thank you for the valleys Lord, for this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow.