Have you ever had a really bad week? Where nothing seems to go right or your way, no matter what? That's what it's been like for me lately. (And yes, I'm throwing myself a pity party.) Maybe I'm being too sensitive and not allowing God to take control.
This past week, my husband and I went to church to prepare Baby C for her baptism. Only to find out, that she could be baptized, but I should not be partaking in the Holy Eucharist because I was not married inside the Catholic Church. This is where the tears streamed down my face.
I was raised Catholic, but the man that God has blessed me with, was not. So instead of marrying in the Catholic Church, we decided to get married in the outdoors, in the beautiful mountains. And I'm pretty sure my God was there with us.
I was raised Catholic, but the man that God has blessed me with, was not. So instead of marrying in the Catholic Church, we decided to get married in the outdoors, in the beautiful mountains. And I'm pretty sure my God was there with us.
The Catholic Church was where I received my Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
It is where I attended school for 10 years.
It is where I attended Youth Group throughout high school.
It is where I was a Youth Volunteer for most of my adult life.
It is where I taught.
It is where I have met many of my friends.
It is where I dropped to my knees to pray, to cry, to sing praises, to receive forgiveness, to receive Jesus.
It is where no matter what city or state I lived in, I could walk into my Home.
And in just one second, I became Homeless.
The deacon sat before us, telling us I would need to stop receiving the Eucharist, go to a priest to confess my sin, and renew our vows in the Catholic Church in order for me to celebrate with the rest of my family. After all of these years, how could I have not known?
So I sit here, with a broken heart, not sure what to do next. Or if I'm ready to make a move.
For now, we are going to have a Baby Blessing in our home with close family and friends. We will raise our baby girl as a Christian and support her in the Home she chooses.
And I will pray that God leads me to the path where He is calling me.
Mandi, you are in a really hard place. I'm praying for you! I believe God will be your Home through this tough time!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Tara!
ReplyDeleteWow! I think that this is very sad... how is it a sin to marry outside in all the beauty that God created?
ReplyDeleteMy father was raised a very devout Catholic and had a similar experience when he went to marry my mother nearly 40 years ago. My mother was Methodist. My father had hopes to marry her in the Catholic Church that he had been raised in all his life. This did not happen because there were so many restrictions the church placed on where and what she could do during the service. I know my dad was very disappointed. They chose to get married in the Methodist Church. My sisters and I were raised in the Methodist Church. Yet you could tell my father's heart was not there. I feel sad for him that he was forced to make this choice and feel through this experience my parents lost some of their "faith." My husband and I go to a UCC church. To each their own. But I believe that God is with you all the time, and it doesn't take a physical Church building to make you a good disciple.
This was a touching post. I am so sorry for your hardship. Best of luck.
Thanks, Kate! I don't know how it's a sin to marry in God's creation. I'm stumped. And thanks for sharing your father's story with me.
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