Revalations

After "Swiffering" and steam cleaning the travertine tile on my kitchen floor, I still could not get the grime off the damn grout. So, I broke down, grabbed a toothbrush and some cleaner and started scrubbing. What do you know...the grout was slowly but steadily returning to its natural stone color glory. That's when a simple thought popped into my head...sometimes in life there are no short cuts. If you want the outcome, you have to put in the hard work.

Seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? Well, yes and no. We live in a society, a common, almost unconscious conscience, that tells us "there is a faster/easier/quicker way to get this done". And we look for it, we buy it, we assume it.

My little grout-induced "revelation", along with the Bible study I just joined got me thinking about other areas of my life where I may be subconsciously looking for a short-cut when what I really need to do is get busy doing the work.

**BREAK** (Mon. Sept. 20) I started writing this post last week, but had to put it on hold since I was leaving for a retreat with the women's ministry group from Winwood Presbyterian Church. And, no, you did not misread any of the above information....me, Bible study, church retreat, etc. For the last year I have been more actively engaging in my spiritual life. At my core, I believe that a person's sprirtiual life becomes the guiding compass for every other decision in his or her life. Clearly, I want to make decisions I feel proud of; therefore, I needed to really focus on my beliefs.

When I accepted a friend's invitation to a Bible study last year, I did so thinking it would nicely supplement my Catholic faith. While not aligned with many of the Catholic views on women in clergy, birth control, and other minor "rules", I did genuinely think I knew and believed in its core tenants. Namely, Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, became man, suffered,was cruxified by Pontius Pilate, died and rose again on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures (sound familiar?). And through doing so, He died for all our sins. By just believing in Him and claiming Him as our Saviour, we would join Him in heaven one day.
To some extent this year of Bible studies and the retreat have deepened and enriched those beliefs immensely. What I did not bargain for was for this experience to rock my faith in Catholicism.
Ugh. I have so much swirling in my head right now, it's hard to put it all down in writing. And, since all three of you faithful readers usually tune in to hear about Nick's zany adventures, I imagine you may be a little confused.
Let's leave it here for now...in the last week, I've made a few important "revalations"....

1. Sometimes, there are no short cuts on the road to enjoying the sweet reward.
2. I do believe, with all my heart, that I am a child of Jesus and that He is the only way. I want very badly, as does Jay, to be incredibly involved in a church and raise Nick with a sense of church community.
3. Even though I am questioning the dogma of the Catholic church, hearing Catholicism being put down, laughed at or insulted immediately lights a feisty spark in me. Some of the best, most faithful people I know are Catholic...and my family.

So, the journey continues. And while it may long and challenging at times, my faith is unwavering.

I'll put in the hard work and believe that eventually, He will guide me and my little family to where we belong and show us what He wants us to do when we get there. But, if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. That includes you, too, Big Guy.