tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899526586640051771.post7156599499622102268..comments2011-03-11T09:54:02.365-07:00Comments on Unlikey Disciple: Unlikely DiscipleI Have Been Savedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15824477045086100338noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899526586640051771.post-34572306431707612792010-12-30T17:17:39.146-07:002010-12-30T17:17:39.146-07:00Michael...growing up in a parallel universe...in t...Michael...growing up in a parallel universe...in the same town, the same synagogue...I had no idea what your life was like at home. I am so deeply sorry for the suffering you experienced, survived in the only way you could for one so young and wounded. My life has had hardships too, of course, but different ones from yours. I am so happy that you have found a way to God and that this path works for you, that you are healing...that you are opening to love more and more in your life. Because my upbringing was different, I have always felt deep connection to God through Judaism...maybe having my grandmother live with us and watching her pray shacharit each morning and shema each night...listening to my mother pray openly and recite psalms and light shabbat candles...it was just part of the fabric of my homelife. Honestly, there have been times in different Jewish communities where I have felt a bit of an outsider because I felt God's Presence so freely and talking to God and about God was just part of my experience, whereas others seemed to be rattling of prayers in a rote way (although who am I to judge their interior experienc?). I have also found amazing Jewish communities in which God is celebrated and experienced deeply by everyone in the room through prayer, song, meditation, movement...very different from the Conservative temple we grew up in! To me, it matters little how we pray, what language we send our prayers up and in with, what names we call God...there are so many...it is simply a blessing to wake up each day and have faith, trusting that we are and have never been alone, that each breath, each moment is a gift and to thank God each morning and all day long for the preciousness of life. Your story is full of strength and courage...I am grateful to be reconnected to you, that Mitch told me your new name so I could find you. I always liked you when we were children, always saw something special in you...I'm sorry it took so long and so much pain for you to discover that in yourself.<br /><br />May you continue to open to love all the days of your life, to find renewal each morning and peace each evening.<br /><br />gentle steps,<br />LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15349928247626849914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5899526586640051771.post-35633327321108352892010-12-11T15:00:51.699-07:002010-12-11T15:00:51.699-07:00I don't think there are any of us that aren...I don't think there are any of us that aren't seriously "underestimating" JUST HOW MUCH is going on in the life of an addict and needs to be addressed.Dave Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03419504263744668990noreply@blogger.com