February 18, 2011

The Valentine of Confusion

A concept that I find helpful from the Valentine's reading in Al-anon is that confusion just might be a gift from God. I was taught to be ashamed of confusion. As if I had the power to make myself  unconfused.

Today I see a pattern in which I was often eager to know my options, long before the time was right for me to make choices. I would work so hard to get the right information, only to find it made me nuts.  This almost happened to me yesterday in my desire to wean of medications.

But in looking back now, older and somewhat wiser, I see instances in which I thought I needed an immediate solution of action. Today I see that I was not prepared to act. Only later, when I was read,  did I find all the information I needed.

This reading is such a blessing. I share the remainder verbatim from February 14th's reading in CTC:

"When I know too much about my options before the time is right to exercise these options, I tend to use the information only to drive myself crazy. That's why today, when I am feeling confused, I try to consider it grace. It may not yet be time for me to act.  

I think that dealing with confusion can be like cooking. If the bread isn't done, I don't take it out of the oven and insist that it is time to eat. I let it finish baking. If a clear solution to a problem hasn't shown itself yet, I can trust that it will appear when the time is right. 

I will thank my Higher Power for whatever I experience today, even if I feel troubled or confused. I know that every experience can offer me a gift. All I have to do it be willing to look at my situation in the light of gratitude." 

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I may be in, therein to be content." Helen Keller

4 comments:

  1. WHAT YOU MUST DO TO BE SAVED

    To be saved, you must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

    However, that's not all. Sacred Scripture clearly shows other things you must also do to be saved:

    • You must endure to the end. Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13.

    • You must accept the Cross (suffering). Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27.

    • You must be baptized with water. Mark 16:16, Titus 3:5, I Peter 3:20-21.

    • You must be a member in God's true church. Acts 2:47.

    • You must confess your sins. James 5:16, I John 1:9.

    • You must keep the Commandments of God. Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 7:21.

    • You must heed the words of St. Peter, the first Pope. Acts 11:13-14, Acts 15:7.

    • You must eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus Christ. John 6:51-58, I Corinthians 10:16, I Corinthians 11:23-29.

    • Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to His call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life. CCC 1996, John 1:12-18, John 17:3, Romans 8:14-17, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

    The only Church that meets all the requirements of Salvation is the Holy Catholic Church.

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  2. Hmm. This is a very different Valentine than I meant. Our twelve step programs practice religious tolerance, and our beliefs range from agnosticism to Christianity (all denominations), Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist.

    What more can I say?

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  3. Did my post indicate I needed saving or that my readers do? Just asking..

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  4. I delete the religious fanatic postings. I so comment moderation for that reason.

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I welcome your thoughts. Keep me honest~