Thank you, everybody. I'm really excited. You know, I talked to Father's wife, our Protenica. She was telling me that she always rejoices when I'm at church. I asked her why? She said she knows the struggles I went through and she is grateful to God that I forgave Father. She said she loves seeing my two sons serving at the altar, and for me to read again, she's thrilled. She said, "I know it's hard for you." I said, "hard? You mean coming to church on Sunday? I've only missed one liturgy in like 9 weeks?" She said, "no, not showing up. It's hard BEING ORTHODOX! I struggle every day. It's just hard BEING in the faith. You know what I mean?"
Simple, almost childishly simple, statement, but it really sums it up. Orthodoxy IS hard. But I think that's what makes it right. I have to constantly tell myself to stay Orthodox. I have to constantly remind myself to pray. I have to regularly tell myself why I need to get up early, not eat on Sunday am, and go clear up there. It's something I have to fight along with. But even the wife of a priest has to do the same thing. And I think that struggle comes from Satan constantly badgering us. He puts in overtime with a religion that can really change you. He spends less time on cults and country clubs with crosses. He puts in overtime for us and is a busy demon.
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