Raising a Child in a Mixed-Faith Marriage

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Disciple4life

Timmy,

It would look strange for a toddler to show up by themselves. What did they catch a cab?

Not my concern.

Soon as she gets that gift card, my memory would return.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by ILG

Well, Mich, our paths cross again. I went to church last Sunday, as one looking for a church, for the first time in years as well.

Okay, I only had about 3 panic attacks.

I went to a Lutheran church. I will not likely consider any charismatic or Pentecostal church to attend but I may visit for intellectual reasons.

I went by myself. I was glad to go by myself. I have enough of my own baggage to deal with. I'm glad my kids are old enough to make their own decisions.

Ever been to church with Emma?

[Dichotomy Girl]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

My husband can sometimes be annoying (lol), but we are generally on the same page in life. What advice can be given after the "public execution" comment?

I know, right? He's such a great guy, and I love him madly. In a way it's funny, because if anyone should be paranoid about churches it should be me!

Originally Posted by ILG

Well, Mich, our paths cross again. I went to church last Sunday, as one looking for a church, for the first time in years as well.

Okay, I only had about 3 panic attacks.

I went to a Lutheran church. I will not likely consider any charismatic or Pentecostal church to attend but I may visit for intellectual reasons.

I went by myself. I was glad to go by myself. I have enough of my own baggage to deal with. I'm glad my kids are old enough to make their own decisions.

Well, I confess, I took a Klonapin before going, cause I like to cover my bases. To be honest, this isn't necessarily the church I would choose if I had more choices, but the fact is, I don't.

I tried to explain to him, that there is something about standing in a room full of people, even if they are strangers who you will never talk to or ever see again, and knowing that you are all a part of something.

I was really sick the last few weeks, and Josh was great, he was so there for me, and went above and beyond. But I realized that with most of my family and friends living 900 miles away, I didn't have anyone that I could call at 8PM and say "Please, I need you, can you come?"

Plus, I work alone all day, am alone with Avery all night, and only see Josh on the weekends, it kind of sucks!

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Ever been to church with Emma?

No, I have never been to church with Emma. However, there is a Mennonite church not far from here and I might ask my daughter to go with me for kicks sometime.

[ILG]

Well, I confess, I took a Klonapin before going, cause I like to cover my bases. To be honest, this isn't necessarily the church I would choose if I had more choices, but the fact is, I don't.

I didn't take anything before going. I have stuff in my purse just in case. The normal service time is 9:00 so I showed up then, but my heart was racing. The sign said time was changed for Easter to 10:30. Drat! An hour and a half to wait. Ugh. Can I do it?? I went home. I actually relaxed and drove back, feeling more relaxed. It was so beautiful and sunny, that helped. I walked in and said as brief a hello to everyone as possible and said to myself "Start already! I can't stand this".

The preacher stood up and told the rules for communion. He may as well have thrown a monkey wrench into my brain. My brain sputtered and clunked. Finally I said to myself "Self, he is not excluding you, don't exclude yourself!". So, I went up and formed a small kneeling circle with the rest of my near pew-mates for communion. I felt God. Then, I downed the bread and poured the little cup into my mouth quickly to let other people in. Woah! What was THAT??? Hey, that was wine, people, bona-fide WINE. Or maybe non-alcoholic fizzy grape stuff. But it popped and fizzed and almost made me go "Boy, howdy, you people have some real stuff in that thar container!"

I tried to explain to him, that there is something about standing in a room full of people, even if they are strangers who you will never talk to or ever see again, and knowing that you are all a part of something.

See, that's the thing. After so many years, feeling banished from church, banished by God for having had been a religious addict and not seeing it, I felt like God gave me permission to go. I was praying one night and telling God, "So, is that it then? I am not allowed to be a part of a group who worships God because I became a religious addict and was horrible to so many people? Can I never be a part again?" And I felt like He said I could go. It felt so good to be in that communion circle, with people who believe in God and are just there to worship him together. (After I left I realized it never once occurred to me to judge them for being trinitarian.)

I was really sick the last few weeks, and Josh was great, he was so there for me, and went above and beyond. But I realized that with most of my family and friends living 900 miles away, I didn't have anyone that I could call at 8PM and say "Please, I need you, can you come?"

Are we sisters? I have been dog sick for about 2 weeks. My husband told me he didn't want to go and I told him I didn't want him there anyway. I'm serious. This isn't about him. This is about me needing to get some things straight about myself and work through my own issues. Maybe after I get myself all straightened out, we can worry about him. Anyway, he said he wasn't opposed to going down the road sometime. He probably wants to make sure I don't turn into some religious fanatic freak so he can hold back and balance me out if that happens. Anyway, I just want to quietly worship God with people who are not exclusive.

Plus, I work alone all day, am alone with Avery all night, and only see Josh on the weekends, it kind of sucks!

Yeah, seeing your husband only on weekends would be hard!