Where is GOD?

A week ago, a friend of mine - let's call him Bill - wrote a comment on one of my facebook posts. This specific facebook post was supporting Marianne Williamson as a California Congressional Candidate.

We have been writing comments on my facebook wall back and forth. The facebook comment exchange has been going like this -

Bill - wow do not promote this woman...she is all about new age crap. a deceiver that tells you are your own god...I know Jesus does not need me to be Him I need Jesus in me.

Me - I know Marianne personally and have had the chance to work with her and spend time with her. These are her words - "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." One of the most beautiful and inspiring quotes - even Nelson Mandela used it in one of his speeches.

Bill - That is very nice and sounds great...but who is god to her what is his name? If it is Jesus then she should say so. If it anything else it is false teaching and it leads to a false god. She does not even realize this. I feel sorry for these people because I know they mean well. Please ask her who is God to her and this will answer our questions.

Me - I really do not want to get into this. And this has nothing to do with Marianne but with your Christian beliefs, which I respect. If you believe that God is Jesus, then that is what God is to you. You are free to believe whatever feels right for you. I can tell you what I believe God is - God is Jesus, every child and adult on earth, every animal, plant, the planets, the galaxies... everything and everyone is part of GOD. We are a little piece of God put in each of our physical bodies. We came to this world to learn through human relationships and through the love for one another. Ultimately, the only thing that is real is love... and that is exactly what God is - LOVE.

Bill - I am concerned that if we are not clear on who God is we will miss our calling and where we spend eternity. There is only one way to the real living God and that is through Jesus. Either Jesus is a crazy lunatic or He is who say's He Is (God). If we get lead to believe god is in everything and there are many ways to Him you can never have a personal relationship with him. If there was any other way to God then why did Jesus die for us? What a waste... Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6. It is very easy to get deceived in this fallen world and I am just making it clear that just because god is different to many others does not mean there are many other way to Him. Please call out to Him with a concerning heart and ask Him if what I am saying is true and wait for your answer. This is good news.

Me - God created ALL of us. We have him inside of us even if we are not aware of it. You are worried about people going to hell because they are not Born Again Christians? Just be concerned about the way you live your own life and how you treat others. "Loving One Another" is, in my opinion, more important than trying to impose dogmatic views or opinions on somebody else. My humble piece of advice to you... just continue being the loving person you are and have always been. Continue living your life with respect, kindness, generosity, gratitude, compassion and forgiveness towards others and yourself. We are mirrors of one another.

Bill - Thank you Adriana..."Loving one another" is what Jesus is all about. Where do you think all of this comes from? Do you think I am getting anything from telling you this.. So you would keep this to yourself? How loving and caring is that? It sounds selfish to keep truth to yourself and I know you are not selfish.

Me - Truth???? The only truth I believe there is, is LOVE... and as we already agreed, God is LOVE. Let's share our love with everyone!!! I send you a big hug and lots of love!!!

What do you personally believe?

Where is God?

What is God?

Dealing with Inevitable Loss

(La traducción en español se puede leer más abajo)

I landed at LAX last Saturday at 10:20 am after 2 weeks of work in the Midwest - Iowa and Minnesota. I had missed my connecting flight the previous night because of mechanical problems with the first aircraft. I was anxious to get home so I could finally rest. I was also looking forward to sitting by the pool to continue writing my book.

As I was waiting for a friend to pick me up, I received a call from my sister Karla in Mexico. I had talked to her the day before. We generally only talk a couple of times a week... and I am the one who calls her.  The first thing I thought was - "What's wrong with dad?"

She told me that dad had been taken to the Intensive Care Unit, that his lungs, liver and kidneys had failed.  Karla said with a soothing voice, "don't stress out, be calm." I asked her, "Should I fly immediately?" To what she responded, "yes, if you want to see him alive." I became numb and then started to cry... Then I said as I choked in tears, "I am flying there tonight or first thing tomorrow morning."

I immediately called my older sister in Canada. She has not visited my mom and dad in six years. I got her voice mail - "Dad is dying. You need to fly to Mexico. Call me right away."

I tried to book a flight over the phone while my friend Christine drove me home. The tickets were extremely expensive and I was told that there were no "special" rates for this type of family emergencies. I was determined to find a flight for that same day or early the following day.

I surprisingly found a ticket at a decent price for the following day. I would arrive at 8:40 pm in Monterrey, Mexico. I was just hoping that my dad would hang in there until I could make it to Mexico... to the hospital.

I posted a message on facebook requesting my friends to pray so my dad would wait for my arrival. I wanted the chance to say good-bye. Just a couple of hours later my sister called me to tell me that a miracle had just happened, my dad's lungs were working again and his condition had stabilized. I cried tears of joy. I knew that the prayers had been heard. He was waiting for me.

I went to the hospital the same night of my arrival on Sunday. I was not allowed to see him as visiting hours in the Intensive Care Unit were only at 11 am and 5 pm, for 15 minutes each visit. I had a chance to see him and hold his hand on Monday at 11 am.  I noticed that he looked peaceful and his breathing was easy and relaxed. My mom went in to see him with me. She was so sweet. I could see so much compassion in her eyes.

That same day at 5 pm, I went back to see him. I could see that his heart beat was irregular and his breathing was not as easy. I did not want to be negative but I could tell that he was not improving. I sensed that he was struggling to stay alive.

Today at 11 am, I went into his room to see him again. I went in with Tita, a health provider who had been taking care of my dad at a nursing home for the last 2 years. She told me that she had snuck out of work so she could come visit my dad. She was telling me that she never wanted this to happen to my father, that she took care of my dad the best way she could. I told her that I knew how much she loved my dad and if my dad's health deteriorated it was not her fault. I added, "he's an old man." She started crying and replied, "it does not matter that he's an old man. I don't want him to be like this." It was so touching to see her as she caressed his forehead and tried to get him to wake up.

What was very interesting is that although he was out and seemed unconscious, he was reacting to our words and our touch. As I was touching his left arm and hand, I gently said to him, "daddy, don't struggle anymore. Rest. It's time to rest now. It's ok... just rest now. We love you." As we were talking to him and caressing his arms and forehead, his heart beat would reach high peaks and his breathing would accelerate. The alarm started to go off but no nurse came to the room... He then became relatively stable when it was time for us to leave.

Just 2.5 hours later, his struggle to stay alive ended. He passed away at 1:47 pm. The doctor came to the waiting room where I was alone. He said, "Jesus Trevino's family??" I sprung up from my chair and said, "I am his daughter." He gave me the sad news and told me that they did everything they could to keep him alive. They could simply not save him. Tears started to roll down my face. My hands started to shake and I panicked, as I was alone and no relatives or friends were with me.

I started to frantically call my mom and my sister Karla - nobody picked up - busy signal or voicemail. The doctor was standing there giving me instructions on what documents were needed to process the death certificate. I finally was able to get ahold of my mom. She sounded devastated as I was giving her the bad news.

I asked mom to gather the necessary documents and come to the hospital right away. I told her not to worry about calling my sisters or any relatives - I would do it.  Little did I know that it would take me more than ten long minutes to get through by telephone.

The doctor told me I could come to the room and see my dad. I saw my poor dad in that bed not moving or breathing anymore. I could not control my crying. I could feel a profound pain and sorrow, especially because I was facing his death completely alone. I rested my head on his lap as I cried uncontrollably. I tried to call my sister Karla and her husband at least 20 times and could not get through.

I called my sister in Canada on her cell phone. She picked up right away.  Her response shocked me completely. "Dad just passed." To what she replied, "Uh... really?" I was crying as I was telling her. She then added, "I am at work, you know?" As if she did not want to get bothered. I could not believe her reaction. I said -"And work is more important to you?" She was quiet. I was still crying - "I just wanted to inform you that your father has just passed away." I hung up.

This phone conversation affected me so much that as soon as I hung up with her I lost it and could not breathe from crying so much. What is wrong with this picture??? My dad dies and I am the only one here next to him? My sister in Canada will not fly to be with us in this difficult time???? When I finally got ahold of my sister Karla, she and her husband rushed to the hospital and made it there in 15 minutes (half the time it would normally take them). She later told me that she wanted to make it to the hospital immediately because she was so worried about me.

My sister Karla is such an amazing person. She's the strongest most self-sufficient woman I know. She can take care of ANYTHING. She has become the head of the family. I don't know what we would do without her. I love her so much!

My beautiful niece Catalina rushed there too as soon as I called her. My mom was brought to the hospital by one of her best friends. I am so grateful for the love and generosity of so many people around us. We have received so many calls and email/facebook messages from people extending their condolences and support.  I feel so much love and gratitude.

The doctor said to me, "he came here very ill. The infection he had was out control. His brief improvement was a true miracle... it was as if he was waiting for his relatives to make it to the hospital." I know my daddy waited for me. He knew I wanted to be with him during this transition.

I now understand why these experiences are life transforming. It takes an experience like this to truly appreciate life at its fullest. We all come to this world for just a little time. Life is short.... it really is. Death is inevitable..  the transition to the spiritual realm is also inevitable. I know that my dad is in a much better place now where he does not need his physical body anymore. His soul is intact and his spirit will be with us FOREVER.

Jesús Treviño Faz - my wonderful father

And as his obituary states, you have left us, "Having had the opportunity to experience the dream of life on this earth...."  Daddy, I say good-bye to your physical body... And I will forever carry your spirit in my heart.

-----

UPDATE -
On Thursday, June 13, 2013, my mother received the most beautiful flower arrangement. It was from my sister Teresa who lives in Canada, the sister who could not make it to the hospital or the funeral.  She and her children are always with us - no matter whatever distance might separate us physically. Her thoughtful gesture of sending these beautiful flowers touched my heart!

I have translated this post into Spanish. The translation is not literal.

He traducido este artículo al español. La traducción no es literal.

Para leer la versión en español, haz click abajo a la izquierda en [Read more]