A Quiet Day

I forced myself to have a quiet day today, a Sabbath rest. I needed to rest and think on some things.

I've been trying to get in touch with my brother with no luck since I had all those medical problems in May. I've spoken with him once during all of this time. First, I called every other weekend and left a message. Lately, I've been calling every weekend and leaving a message.

Yesterday, my oldest daughter was here for a quick visit when I tried again to call my brother, and again left a message. She was so upset by all of this that she then called them and left a message, including her phone number (one of the reasons they said they didn't call me was they didn't have my phone number). Surprisingly enough, her phone message was interrupted by my sister-in-law picking up the phone.

My daughter asked her why they are not taking my calls, why they are not returning my calls. Surprise, surprise--here is the answer:

"We don't want anything to do with 'church' people."

I have to tell you that hurt--hurt a lot. It's not as though I try to force them to have my beliefs when I'm around them or I'm talking with them. I'm just me, that's all--a better version of the me that I used to be.

I went to church today, and my prayer request was for my brother and his family, for my understanding of them and their understanding of me.

I already received a response from our Prayer Team regarding this. Here is their response:


Dear Beth ~ Thank you for sharing this most personal prayer request with us. We will be praying for a special abundance of grace in your life. May the Holy Spirit fill you daily with peace and assurance straight from God's hands. May your faithful prayers for your family even be a source of comfort to you as you commit them to the Lord. May the promise that He loves each one and is patiently waiting bring you hope. He is faithful!

"I will praise you with my whole heart; I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving kindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:1a, 2, 3

This response definitely brought me comfort. I've printed this, put it in my purse so that whenever I think of this situation I can read this and again receive this comfort.

I know that I am living the right way, following the path of the Light. It's a sad thing--feeling as though I'm being persecuted by own family for my beliefs.

What they don't know is this: This attitude of theirs is only serving to make my faith in my Lord stronger. I know that He is waiting patiently for them to come to Him.

Beth