Kennedy is a very dear friend of mine, who is just one of the sweetest persons I have ever met! She is going through a rough time in her marriage, and I have suggested that she seek God’s help. Although Kennedy is a believer, Frank, her husband, is not. I wouldn’t call him an atheist, but he is not interested in reading the Bible or attending a church service. So when I received a call at work last week from a hysterical Kennedy, all I could do was preach the importance of reading her word, praying and seeking God for his guidance. I mean really what else could I do? 

Back Story:

I met Kennedy over seven years ago at our kids’ daycare center. I believe that our children became best of friends because, they both had speech issues. I guess in retrospect, they danced to the same tuneJ Kennedy works for a prestigious law firm and her husband works for the state. Even with their high paying jobs and the ability to live the “American Dream,” I have always known them to have marital issues.

I remember the first time that she confided in me about their problems. I directed Kennedy to read her Bible and pray… As things got better, they started attending marriage counseling. The following year, they decided to buy another house and enroll their child into a private school hoping that the small class size would allow him to keep up.

Well as luck would have it, Kennedy found out very early on that some of the staff lacked the necessary teaching skills! Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that a person without a degree can’t teach. My illiterate great-grandmother was wise beyond her years and taught her children valuable life lessons and as a result, all of her kids obtained Post-Secondary degrees! I believe anyone can facilitate a class, but it takes a special person to teach. But I digress.

After many parent-teacher-administrator meetings and four years of trying to cope, Kennedy became extremely unhappy and communicated to Frank that she was at her wits end! Kennedy was tired of coming home from work and teaching her son for hours on end after school. Since Frank only gets involved in the “extracurricular activities” and can’t be bothered with homework duties, he expressed a desire to give the school another try. Why break HIS routine for the sake of the child, right?

Against her husband’s wishes, she toured the local public school with her son, Henry, and he absolutely loved it. Kennedy decided to remove her child and enroll him into the new school system. Unfortunately, transferring her child to a new school ultimately caused a huge rift between the two parents. Frank refuses to help her with the logistics of getting the child to and from school. They really don’t get along anymore, and he has decided to take a trip without her and the child, ugh!

So, there you have it. Kennedy is a shell of her former self…She admitted that Frank no longer is interested in her, resulting in her low self-esteem. However, I know that God CAN do all things for those who have faith. I have witnessed another friend stand on that promise, and her marriage was reconciled as a result. Victoria’s story is truly an uplifting one, and I shared it with Kennedy.

Was moving Henry to another school that detrimental to their relationship? OR, was it an excuse to justify a means to an end? I have my own opinions, but what is your take? Either way, I pray that God will comfort and heal every family member’s heart.

Confessions:

Although I remained neutral in my conversations with my wounded friend, I became angry and judgmental towards her husband.

Affirmations:

I do not judge others. When dealing with individuals in crisis situations, I lean on God to provide me comforting words.

Prayers:

Dear Lord – I pray that I have communicated your message for saving Kennedy’s marriage appropriately to her. I also ask that you shield her from depression and any self-defeating thoughts. I pray that Henry is shielded from all the negative energy that may surround him in his home. And finally Lord, I pray that Frank finds the light that leads to you.

In Jesus’ Name…Amen

In every religion you will find some priest, prophet, pastor, etc. who embodies all that is good in mankind, or so you might think. For example, Baptist parishioners admire T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen, while Buddhists have the Dali Lama, and Catholics, of course, revere the Pope.

As a Baptist congregant, I have listened to many pastors spew a bunch of bible verses and hallelujah’s, but it is all discounted once the offering plate is passed around more than once in a church service! I’m often left feeling that I just paid money to hear the word, and I have received nothing in return. To deal with my ambivalent feelings towards the church, I began to visit other religions to see if I could find a more suitable spiritual path. I have visited Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic and even a Protestant church! I have also visited a Muslim mosque at the behest of a friend, but I didn’t feel a connection. I have determined that I need to be a Baptist Christian just like my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother before me. Until…..Pope Francis!

Although I have remained in the faith, I am still open to hearing the word from other avenues, as long as, it is God/Christ/Holy Spirit centered. So when the World Meeting of Families was announced, I became interested in fellowshipping with believers of other faiths. After doing some research on this event, I wanted to hear a Pope Francis sermon in person. I needed to see the man who so many Catholics have called a game changer, a caring soul. However due to the logistical issues in and around my area, I decided to stay home and watch this gentle soul touch the world through a television set.

Pope Francis seems to genuinely care about his fellow-man. He appeals to the masses because, of his humility and compassion. These qualities make him relevant and “in-tune” to the sufferings of many. I can’t stop thinking about how he goes out of his way to make the least of us feel so important. I feel that he is truly touched by God! I literally was glued to my television all weekend long!!!

Pope Francis, I salute you. I salute your dedication and your kindness! At eighty years old, you have shown true stamina! How on earth did you accomplish so much in a five-day span? You make me want to do more for my fellow-man, woman and child. I pray that I will one day accept the calling on my life and become as selfless as you.

Confessions:

I am selfish at times and ignore calls for me to volunteer not only in my community, but also in the world at large.

Affirmations:

I am giving, kind and selfless. I go out of my way to make the world a better place.

Prayers:

Dear God, I know that I am no Pope Francis, but I pray that you will give me the humility, courage and strength to step out of my comfort zone and become faithful in the ministry that you have given me. I ask that you continue to lead and guide me along the way. I especially ask for help in dealing with people, who don’t possess the same beliefs as I do. I don’t ever want to come across as judgmental; I want to help lead them to you and not away from you. In Jesus’ Name…Amen