At a time of not knowing-

[litllady]

Hi Lynette,

I imagine that you might find Carla to be a kindred spirit. She also loves Jesus as one who demonstrates unconditional love, yet she has little use for traditional Christian doctrines about original sin, substitutionary atonement, etc.

Both you and your mother could remember that both of you share some spiritual practices. You both read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the love that Jesus has for you. Knowing that both of you do this, it is then God's job, rather than the job of either of you, to turn on the light for each other to understand what God wants you to know. If she knows that you also read the Bible, celebrate the love of Jesus and try to be loving as he taught, and pray, then she can have faith that her God will help you see whatever doctrine you need to understand. Even if her words don't get through to you, she doesn't need to fear that God won't have some other way to reach your spirit.

The greatest bliss, joy and union with God that your mother can imagine, is to have the traditional Jesus greet her in the traditional Christian heaven. Is there really a need to try to convince her that there is something else she should want more than that? Is there a problem with her longing to feel certain that you would get to share the greatest union with God that she could imagine? You don't know much about that heaven, but while you are on this earth, you try to love your neighbor as her Savior taught and demonstrated. Isn't that enough for her to celebrate?

Hello,

I know what you say is true, I just need reminded of it all sometimes. Why do I feel so inclined to tell her there could be a higher path? Is that egotistical of me? I really do think I totally respect each and every path. But in this time of 'choice' right now and the fact I feel God has shown her things she is ignoring out of her fears of that it doesnt go with her Bible, the felsh self of me does experience frustration...even though I do know, each path is personal and valid. Some of this comes from the fact that I would wish she could let go of her fears that she wont be worthy for salvation...I wish she could let go of some of the fears that the OT God image puts of people.

I guess i just need to express sometimes. I feel like for the first time in a long long time, my mother and I might go on different paths after this life. I feel like that with many around me, but she is my mom and we have experienced so many things together spiritually. Is it selfish of me or egotistical of me to feel this way now and then? Have anyone ever felt they came here for certain others?

Just thinking out loud
Lynette