On Friday evening, as the twins played on the playground and Brianna was at her softball practice, I looked through a book I had brought with me, Faithbooks and Spiritual Journaling by Sharon Soneff.  I poured over the wonderful imagery and the thought provoking words of Mindy Caliguire.  Wow.  I think that was the MOST INSPIRED hour I have been engaged in, in a long time!!  I was so excited.  I then turned to a couple of magazines.  I filled an entire page of notes and inspirations.  I could have gone on like that all night. 

I set about the rest of my weekend, immersed in family life.  It was such a blessing.  Between soccer practice, softball clinic, face painting at a birthday party, church… the weekend was intensly busy — but we were together.  Bliss.  And I felt like that one hour of peace and creative mojo sustained me through a weekend where I really had wanted to be scrapbooking with friends.  It was National Scrapbooking Day, for goodness sakes!  But I was given a sense of complete happiness and fulfillment – all weekend long.  What a gift.  Tonight I gave three dusty, dirty, happy children their baths.  We had ‘seafood night’, and I read each of them a book.  Cuddles.  Lots of cuddles.  I am blessed.

Ok, I’m a newbie.  I am certain one day I won’t feel so stumbling about in my search for Faith and Understanding.  I went to a lovely scrapbooking retreat last weekend at Singing Hills and saw for my own eyes, again the POSITIVE POWER of the spirit of God.  What a wonderful weekend, combining my love of scrapbooking with my faith.  And I ask you not to attack me in my stumblings here, for merely a week later once again, these two are intertwined again. 

Tonight, I sit down to my laptop and read e-mails and see a personal attack from someone about a topic that deserves no clouding of the issue.  I read it.  I want to respond.  Let’s face it, I am being provoked to respond.  But I don’t feel that it deserves a response.  I would rather meet it with silence.  Is that acceptance?  So I thought I would blog about it instead.   What intially comes to mind was this:

You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

So now the quandary.  Does this mean, do nothing?  Does it mean that I should explain my intentions further and let her slap my other cheek if she chooses to do so?

I want to help this family.  I don’t want people to say, "I don’t like SL, so I won’t help."  I had seen the power of people coming together with the gals on 2Peas and Jen Gallacher’s son, Joey’s illness and his recent passing.  I was moved.  He was laid to rest yesterday.  I wish his family peace.  I know that Joey is in a better place and knows God’s love.  I was hoping that our small community could make a difference in the life of A.’s daughter and her family.  I still have that hope.

So I want to say a few words, and if you are aware of the situation, and wish to slap the other cheek – the comments are open.

A. is facing a hard situation and huge financial difficulties, and she faces it with dignity and puts others’ needs above her own.

I indicated that I am an ‘acquaintance’ because I know that closer friends were reluctant to step forward because they felt like ‘sister of the bride trying to throw the bridal shower’.  I didn’t have any such qualms because my relationship with A. is someone that smiles and waves when I see her at a crop – which btw hasn’t been for a long time.  At the same time I didn’t want those same people to feel that I was stepping on their toes.  I called her sister and one of her close friends, before I even called A. to let them know my intentions.

I did speak ‘off the cuff’ – I was sincerely moved by A.’s blog and wanted to do something.  Do I have to edit and re-edit anything I type in order for it to be acceptable?  Whose issue is this?

I honestly don’t know the answer.  I feel that I am being tested.  Was this weekend the calm before the storm?