Dear Catherine,
I was brought up Catholic, and even attended Catholic school for 8 years. I understand your reservations because I grew up hearing similar ideas, and I know where those ideas come from.
If I may ask, what brings you to our website? Something must have you moved by your experience of seeing 11:11, for you now find yourself here. When you shared about the many hard times you've had in the past few years, I wonder if this is why you are seeing the prompts. (And by the way, I am so sorry about your pain and I will pray for you.) I often see the 11:11 when I am in pain, and I take it as a show of comfort. One thing that was hard for me growing up in the Church, was I used to feel like "Why are all the miracles in the Bible over now?" I used to ask my teachers "Why doesn't God still perform miracles?" And they'd tell me "God is done performing miracles."
Especially looking back on that idea when I see miracles all around me every day, now, I know that this is not true. Isn't life itself a miracle? To me, when we are really low, feeling so sad and hopeless -- if we see a little sign from God -- it just picks us right up. To me, with the 11:11, I left "faith" behind and moved into "knowing" God in a different way. Then I felt more connected to the Light -- and it's easier to feel positive, even when things gets me down. Which happens to all of us!!!
I know our little family cherishes the idea that we each have our own path, our own unique view of things, and the right to see things as they make sense to us. There will be no harm if you continue on your own path, and choose to disregard the 11:11 prompts. That's fine too! From reading the responses you got, from George, and Sandy, and Infinite Light, and Jack, Sarah, Vanessa, Sammy --- I can tell everyone just tried to offer a softer view, a calm one, with hope and inspiration offered: it is always your choice whether to consider these ideas, or not. You will be fine either way.
I just felt moved by what you shared, and also by the lovely responses you received, and part of your question touched me and moved me to respond. You shared "This is not what Angels want, they want Jesus to get all the glory and thanks." I know what you mean - I was taught this as well. But Angels are there to assist God, and Jesus - and Midwayers are too - it is just a large group of lovers, all servants of God, all individually present to guide and assist us, here on earth, like the tradition of having a Guardian Angel. I was taught to speak to my Guardian Angel from a very young age, to show them love and gratitude, not just say "Please help me!" but also when things were fine, to take the moment to thank them for always guiding over me, watching me, protecting me, loving me. When I take that moment to show them my gratitude, I do not betray God, or Jesus -- I pay
them homage, too, because I know I only have a Guardian Angel because God put my Angel in place for me. They are just God's helpers. God has many helpers, and the ancient roots of the Christian religion, in Judaism, are filled with stories about Angel helpers. Like the beautiful Archangels. And those stories carry over into the stories in the New Testament, like when Mary found out she would bear God's child, by the Archangel Gabriel visiting her (I think I'm remembering that right! I always mix up who visited her cousin Elizabeth, and who visited Mary.
).
Midwayers are just more of God's helpers, and the way I see it -- God wishes for more humans to wake up to being kind to one another, and to loving one another. We have so much silliness where we compete with one another, try to show someone else up, or feel superior to someone else, that happens every day. What I notice on our little board here, is people are so moved, so profoundly moved, to know that one of God's helpers has said "Hello" to them -- they are moved to a kind, charitable, loving view. They reach out more; they are in a better mood, to put it that way.
Any inspiration makes God smile, is the way I see it -- sometimes it is a rainbow arching across the sky, or a tree whose spring flowers are in full bloom.
These are all evidence of God's love. Anything that reminds us of God and the many gifts we receive every day -- can move us to be more complete human beings, behaving more like Souls. So that is a beautiful thing in my opinion!
I think if something makes you smile, feel good, reach out to others in loving kindness, you can safely assume it comes from the Light.
Thank you for all you shared and peace and blessings shining out to you!
And thank you to everyone who responded -- I enjoyed your ideas so much!
With love, Michele