i’d like to add here, it’s repeating, but, maybe helpful.
the decision for Catholicism for my granddaughter is not mine. it’s not easy for me. i’ve been glad her great-grandmothers are not present, it would have been hard for them to accept.
my daughter married a non-practicing Catholic who promised she could choose whatever church they attended, he did not care. well. that was courtship talk. i believe he was sincere. he just did not know himself very well. after marriage and their daughter was born, he decided Catholicism or nothing. even tho he remains a non-practicing Catholic. his family is mostly the same. they claim Catholicism, but are mostly non-practicing. some are critical, a few respectful, but ..
my daughter had to make some hard decisions. they moved to an area where churches, including Mennonite, are liberal. my first interest in their area’s churches was Mennonite, but a trusted MD CM member suggested that might not be the best choice, to instead consider another more conservative church .. i looked into what was available.
we visited a couple of churches. one had a pastor we all liked very much. he was a former Jew, he knew the Bible, his sermons were pertinent and addressed the vibrant congregation from a scriptural perspective. the mix of ages there was encouraging. unfortunately, the music was loud and a significant part of the service. they did not deny it. earplugs were available at the entrance to the sanctuary. years later, we still speak warmly about the pastor.
we did not visit the known liberal churches, PCUSA, ELCA, MCUSA, etc. i’ve only learned about EO on this forum. i’ve never visited.
so, the choice “funneled down” to the local, not large, Catholic Church. half of the family was at ease.
a lot because of what i learned by reading on MD, the idea that it’s important to attend church, even if it’s not ideal, then reading posts from numbers of members who were doing just that, i decided, as grandmother without grandfather, without other close male leaders in the family, with the child’s father unwilling to lead, the best thing i could do for all would be to support my family’s decision, and help in every way possible. even tho i’m not Catholic.
for most of my life, i’ve believed it’s helpful in life to have “short plans” and “long plans.”
each of us has to deal with our present reality, the everyday, responsibilities and obligations. positive and negative.
however, each of us can also have longer term hopes+dreams! and these can be life-giving, esp when times are trying.
in all matters, i believe it’s wise to leave plenty of room for God’s will. because God’s will happens.
often for positive unexpected outcomes we could have never imagined. i want God’s will! He knows best.
i also believe God specially protects the innocent.
my granddaughter is at home in her church, and i’m grateful for it. it’s not a perfect church. they trend more liberal at times than i prefer. they do not focus on politics. some members try to bring it, it’s quietly and effectively discouraged.
my grdaughter is a tender trusting believer - in Truth. which transcends denom label. in a world that tells her in no uncertain terms, she must NOT share her faith, or speak of any sort of Christianity.
we all live in some form of prison on earth. none of us can have “everything,” not everything we think we want.
God decides what sort of prison(s) we may occupy. and He provides ways for us to endure. and even thrive.
i look at the short term, i have hopes for the longer term. i trust in the Holy Spirit to guide.
i’ve experienced and witnessed so much in my life, so much beyond expectations, i have to believe. and trust.
i’ve learned a lot on this forum. i doubt i could have coped with the Catholic decision very well at all without many things i learned on this forum. i am coping. and i am attempting to give credit where credit is due. with this particular church we’re involved with, and with my many Anabaptist and other friends on this forum.
i have my long term dream of taking my family to join appleman’s fellowship.
i’ve seen more surprising things happen in my life. if it’s God’s will, it will be.
we are to encourage one another. i believe this is pleasing to God.