She wrote letters to her spiritual advisor during her career of working with India's poor, describing the torment of the spiritual darkness in which she found herself...abandoned by God.
And yet, she didn't abandon those who depended on her for care...and for her just plain showing up.
We may feel abandoned by God. Sometimes I do. Mother teresa did. Maybe you do, too.
But we can't break faith with those who expect us to show up.
Feeling abandoned does not give us the right to turn away.
If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.
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Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
"Feeling abandoned does not give us the right to turn away." Excellent insight, Andrew. I agree. May I apply it in many ways this week, not just to God, but to people, too.
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you. It's one I need to remind myself of contantly. Every hour, some days!
DeleteThanks so much for being here.
My husband and I recently watched that same movie, and I learned a lot more about Mother Teresa.She persevered even when she felt alone, even when she felt God abandoned her. What faith she had! And you, too, Andrew, have great faith. It shows in your writing and how you keep showing up even though you are in pain and struggle. Your testimony is inspiring. I'm visiting from #inspirememondays.
ReplyDeleteGayl, thank you so much. Your words are very important to my heart, and I really appreciate your being here.
DeleteI was so moved by that film! That she felt abandoned, and kept going...far, far more impressive than if that had not been the case. MT's a true hero.
Thanks for showing up here, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteIt's home, Jan, and my post. Nowhere else I'd rather be.
DeleteAnd thank YOU for being here, my friend.
Andrew, another pearl from your crusted oyster shell! I'm blessed by each of your posts!
ReplyDeleteWhen we are underwater, we can't always hear Jesus speaking to us, assuring us He's pulling us up and we won't drown.
We're too panicked at the submersion.
Well said.
Love,
Tammy
Tammy, thank you so much! You just, like TOTALLY made my evening!
DeleteLove back, my dear friend.
I don't think I am feeling abandoned, Andrew; yet...perhaps that is the feeling I can't seem to put my finger on. I know I am over-whelmed with all that has happened the past couple of days, right here "in my back yard" so to speak. But, I know he is there for you and for Barb and for me and for everyone involved in the shootings in Orlando...as well as other areas where violence has unleashed its ugliness...And I know he has us in his care...somehow, I do know this to be true.
ReplyDeleteThank you as always for sharing your wisdom...
Barbara, my heart goes out to you. I come from a different place, both literally and figuratively, and something like this would have been notable but hardly surprising. Twenty dead would not raise an eyebrow in some parts of the world. Fifty...yeah, an eyebrow. But that's all.
DeleteAnd that coarsening of my soul is something I regret.
On the other hand, it makes it easier to deal with my own situation...but, conversely, harder for my wife. She has a hard time opening up in sympathy when my attitude tends to be, "Everybody dies. I'm good with it. No worries. Could be worse...I could have zits."
It is a form of His care, I guess, this hardening...but something is lost.
You spoke to my soul with this, Barbara. I'll have to visit the subject at more length.
Many thanks for the prayers! We truly appreciate them.
That's right. We aren't given permission to quit. We show up for others.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Norma. Love God, and love our neighbours as ourselves. Jesus showed up to set an example.
DeleteOn my N. L. Brumbaugh FaceBook page this morning. Fitting.
ReplyDelete"Don't give up. We get discouraged. We think about giving up, and then we read a verse like this...
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP." Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Amen
#spiritual
Norma, the Galatians Scripture is PERFECT! Thank you!
DeleteI've been studying in 1st Samuel, Andrew and this fits perfectly with where I read today (1 Samuel 27:1ff). David felt discouraged and I believe abandoned by God. He had been on the run from Saul for who knows how long. In fact, during this period of discouragement, David did not write any of his famous Psalms--that were tied to events both before and after this period of discouragement. Your words echo the feelings that David had and I've been there too. It's hard to keep going and going, praying and praying and nothing changes . . . in fact, it gets worse! I hope that you feel our friendship and care for you even if we are far away or not always present to reach out. I'm sure it all matters, given the loneliness you sometimes feel in your day-to-day relationships. Thanks for hanging in there and speaking truth to our hearts. You're in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading 1 Samuel too, Beth. And yes...I think David did feel abandoned. But even though he might have been tempted to think that God had somehow broken faith, he, David, had the deeper faith that could ford that torrent of despair.
DeleteI sure do feel the friendship and warmth, Beth. I know I'm not alone. You are God's hands and heart made manifest.