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Subject: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Rat [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 04:37:41 02/18/13 Mon My father’s birthday would be this coming Saturday, February 23rd. As most of you know, Dad passed away suddenly on December 8, 2012, from a heart attack. Since then I have been on an emotional roller coaster that is beyond description. I have struggled with justifying my own emotions and the right to have my feelings and have struggled with the fact that many feel it is simply time to move on. I have had days of pure happiness and joy and fun and then I have often felt guilty for allowing myself to be happy. I have had days where I refused to get out of bed and elected to just stay secluded and cry. Lately I realized that I have forsaken many things that I enjoy doing and I have even retreated from friends and I had basically withdrawn from life. This rat had been dragging his tail around and was headed quickly for depression. I realized that fact and have decided it is time to stop dragging my tail and to seek some normalcy in life. Whereas, I strive for normalcy, I do understand that the low days and the sad days will still happen but I can no longer allow them to rule my life. I am interacting more with friends, I am back to being more social at school and participating in my extra-curriculars and I am going to resume writing my column for the school paper. With all that in place, I know it is still OK to have a sad day and I realize that birthdays, anniversaries and holidays will be hard. I found myself looking to buy Dad a birthday gift and then I remembered that he was no longer here. I almost broke down in the middle of the store but I was able to hold it together. I expect Saturday to be difficult and that is OK. A friend put me on to contingency planning and I need to go ahead and expect some raw emotions and have a plan as to how I will deal with those. One thing that will help is that I have been asked to deliver a sermon at church on Sunday for Youth Day. I have decided to dedicate the message to Dad and his memory. I have found that thinking about Dad as I prepare has been cathartic and has allowed for a positive outlet for my emotions. I want to share briefly the premise for the message. I also thank all of you for your kindness and support and friendship as I journey down this most difficult and often uncharted road. I wish to share from John’s gospel: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” – John 14:1 My father had heart trouble. Perhaps it was a consequence of his lifestyle or his genetics or perhaps it was just his lot in life; I suspect it was a combination of several factors. Dad’s heart had not been healthy for a few years and it was a source of trouble for him. Sadly, it was heart trouble that claimed my father’s life. Dad died of heart trouble. Dad may have died of heart trouble but he did not die with a troubled heart. John offers no solution for heart trouble in the cited passage but he does clearly state the solution for a troubled heart. Could Dad have found a cure for his heart trouble? Was there a solution to the issue that eventually took him form us? Perhaps. If such remedy existed Dad never found it. However, more importantly, Dad did find the solution to a troubled heart. Dad embraced his Christianity and, as John directs through the quoting of Jesus, believed in God and in Jesus the Son. Jesus continues beyond the quote provided here by John to describe heaven and the peace that it provides for those not afflicted with a troubled heart. The solution for heart trouble proves elusive for many even under the care of competent physicians. The solution for a troubled heart is simple and straightforward. I certainly wish Dad had not had heart trouble but I am even more grateful that he did not have a troubled heart. The word in Greek that is translated into “trouble” in the English text can also be translated as “disturbed.” I think many, if not all, among us are troubled or disturbed in some aspect of life. I would expand the meaning of the provided text to extend to all sorts of trouble and disturbances. Can we not deduce that we should believe that God through His Son Jesus is able to handle whatever disturbance may be plaguing us at the moment? I have had to make that realization myself. I have had a difficult time since my father passed and I am certain there will be more difficulties ahead but I do gain peace and assurance knowing that God is in control of the situation. The key is remembering to claim that promise. Heart trouble, as evidenced by Dad’s situation can claim our life. A troubled heart can claim our soul. While neither is preferable it is seemingly imperative that we resolve our troubled hearts. The beauty of the matter is that a troubled heart is easily cured and corrected. I would that heart trouble was addressed as easily. I will always miss Dad and there is a void in my life left by his passing. Yes, Dad died from heart trouble but he did not die with a troubled heart. It is that which gives me peace and comfort. The days ahead will be just a little easier with that assurance. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Craig [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 06:59:26 02/20/13 Wed Hi Rat, Sorry to hear about your dad. It is obvious you loved him a lot. The grief comes in waves - sometimes you feel "normal" and then a wave of sorrow washes over you. All I can say (speaking from experience) is that the waves eventually become farther and farther apart. The good your dad lived and embodied is forever because it came from God. So now your job is the live a life that will make your dad proud! God Bless. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Tanner to Rat [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:10:04 02/20/13 Wed Hi Rat, Thanks for sharing your expeprience and a portion of your message with us, you are a very good writer. I am glad to hear you are trying to bring some normalcy back to your life. Hang in there and remember your fait [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Mark Athlete to RAT [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:36:18 02/22/13 Fri Hi RAT, Again I am really, really sorry that your dad passed away! I became angry at GOD and still can't believe that He wanted your dad in heaven more, then here on earth with you, your Mom and family! GOOD KNOWS ALL!! Rat, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Bible inspirational thoughts, etc. They will help you, me, others to try to understand in what has happened! Your dad's birthday is Sat., Feb. 23? I celebrated my l7th birthday on Feb. l9. Nice that I can share a birthday month with your dad! Hey, there is nothing WRONG that you can't buy your dad a birthday gift! You can buy him some flowers and take to him or you might do a "birthday good deed" in his honor and memory for someone and lots of other things you could do to remember and celebrate the rememberance of his life! Just because a person is not there inperson doesn't mean you can' celebrate their birthday! Do something in your dad's honor he would love you to do! Preaching an upcoming sermon will be truly a great way to remember your dad. You have the gift of words, you share them with the church audience, etc. Rat, you and your Mom and family continue to be in my prayers, and Drew, Jake and Sean continue to pray and think of you and family! You continue your look to God and your days will become easier! After all, you can't keep a GOOD RAT down! Best always, Mark Athlete [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: CZ to RAT [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 06:24:27 02/27/13 Wed My dear RAT, I am still so sorry about your loss. Although both my parents are still alive I can understand your feelings and I think you are doing the right thing allowing yourself to return to normal life. Your father will be forever in your heart, no doubt. But I am sure he would like you to go on, support your mother and sisters and become yourself a great man, as I am sure he believed and I do believe too. You are a very talented writer, use your gift the best way you can. A writer is very important because his writings can make people feel better, awake their imaginations an so many other beautiful things. I wrote some months ago a message for you, for Mark A. and for Mark the Athlete in the other Forum but I got no responses. Just now I understood that the other Forum is down so I will com here sometimes, specially to check upon you. I do not know if you remember, almost two years ago when you broke up with your first girlfriend that I said you that there is a word in my language (portuguese), "saudade" with is a substantive meaning that it is what is left from those who aren´t with us any more. My friend you will have "saudades" from you dad for a long time, maybe a lifetime, but this feeling, which hurts a lot at first, will become a sweet memory you will share with your kids and grandkids. I pray GOD will be with you in all moments. And for you a big, huge hug from your friend. CZ [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Rat to CZ [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:25:16 02/28/13 Thu CZ, Thank you so much! I was excited to hear from you. Yes, we tried to respond at the other board but it has gone dormant. I will occasionally look in here. I trust all is well with you? -R A T [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Heart trouble and a troubled heart Author: Mark Athlete to Rat [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:39:50 02/28/13 Thu Hi Rat, I wanted you to know that you, your Mom and family are still included in my daily prayers. Again, you wrote some great inspirational words in your recent thread of "Heart Trouble and a Troubled Heart". You continue to have a gift of words. Oh, are you and Caleb still neck and neck for Top Class Honors? My best to both of you. You both are winners, no matter who ends up the Top Man or Top Rat! Best, Mark Athlete [ Post a Reply to This Message ]