Day 12

Today is a day of faith.

When I worked at the phone company we often had cards passed around.  These were birthday cards, happy new kid card, and, of course, sympathy cards in times of illness and death.

The sympathy cards were always the hardest for me to write.  I wanted to express my concern and love for my colleague, and still remain professional.  I believe many others faced the same conflict.  What can you write that won't get you thrown into the crazyperson category.

For many years I used the standard "My thoughts are with you and your family."   I felt this kept me out of religion jail.  There were so many different religious beliefs and I didn't want to offend anyone.

Then, I evolved it to "My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."  I liked that I expanded the sentiment to one of faith.

Now, that I am on the receiving end of those wishes, I gave ti more time and thought in the midnight hours of last night.

I met a Hindu.  She said that the reason there are so many gods in Hindu is because they believe it is most important to have a God.  They don't care which one you have faith in, they care that you have faith.

So I am moving closer to that model.  I believe it is important that I have faith.   So I pray and I pray often and I pray with a full heart.  I call my God Jesus because I was brought up to pray to him.  And I respect who you pray to, and I will pray to that deity along with you when you invite me.

I believe now that if I was still at the phone company and I was presented a condolence card to sign, I would sign it "I am praying for you and your family."  I would not be concerned about offending anyone.  I think that faith is an important human element and we all need to believe in something that is magical and able put miracles in our lives and console us in times of trials.

So, for all of you who have sent your wishes and thoughts and prayers, I thank you for all of it.  I thank you for your faith in whoever it is and want you to know I am praying for blessings in your lives.