If I had ten dollars (metaphor adjusted for inflation) for every time I have named abuse or told parts of my story and the response was some iteration of, “Have you forgiven them yet?” I could retire on my own semi-deserted paradise island.
You are such a wonderful orator. My church has been without a pastor for years (although we love the current temporary minister). I hope when we do finally get a full time minister he or she is as caring and knowledgeable of a speaker as you. I am a former elder and now deacon and I had a sexual abuser moving up in the ranks of the church. Nothing could be done about it because he was never charged.
Thank you Michele for being brave, bold and vulnerable in sharing your experience and your process of healing. I agree 100%, being a Jesus follower myself, it breaks my heart as I know it does his as well. I’m grateful this topic is finally being talked about, it’s truth that sets us free not just forgiveness!!
Wow. Very deep. Thank you for sharing your story. I carried sexual abuse trauma perpetrated by a young man - from church - when I was 5-6 years old. I grew up in a christian family and a fundamental church. Although there are times we don’t see eye to eye, I love my family but don’t go to church anymore. Too much “do as I say and not as I do” being preached and I am not allowed to question any of it. My son calls it Modern American Churchianity. I love God. Just not the god preached in a lot of churches.
PS. Did I forgive this now grown man? After a slow release and opening of my hands. Indeed. My father and another friend accompanied me when I confronted him in 2020 and I was 61. I think the best part is that it is no longer a secret.
Michele, thank you for pointing out another “clobber” verse. I am quite familiar with the ones used against LGBTQ individuals. And you are so right: Scripture is an interpretation by man. In his own language. For the era in which he lives. And in a way his culture can understand. (My master’s is in English/Spanish interpretation and translation. What an eye opener!)
Thank you so very much for what you have written as I so resonate with much of it in my own journey through healing CPTSD and how to be a Christian lover of Jesus as well as have true community in churches that had no conception of what such trauma is really like so that well-meaning folks gave me advice and so on that only reinforced or added to the traumas...I also thank you for the recommendation of the recent book on Psalm 23 from the perspective of one who gets trauma in the ways that you point out - I ordered it just now as I need such written insights and hope as part of my healing journey. God bless you :-)
You are such a wonderful orator. My church has been without a pastor for years (although we love the current temporary minister). I hope when we do finally get a full time minister he or she is as caring and knowledgeable of a speaker as you. I am a former elder and now deacon and I had a sexual abuser moving up in the ranks of the church. Nothing could be done about it because he was never charged.
Thank you Michele for being brave, bold and vulnerable in sharing your experience and your process of healing. I agree 100%, being a Jesus follower myself, it breaks my heart as I know it does his as well. I’m grateful this topic is finally being talked about, it’s truth that sets us free not just forgiveness!!
Wow. Very deep. Thank you for sharing your story. I carried sexual abuse trauma perpetrated by a young man - from church - when I was 5-6 years old. I grew up in a christian family and a fundamental church. Although there are times we don’t see eye to eye, I love my family but don’t go to church anymore. Too much “do as I say and not as I do” being preached and I am not allowed to question any of it. My son calls it Modern American Churchianity. I love God. Just not the god preached in a lot of churches.
PS. Did I forgive this now grown man? After a slow release and opening of my hands. Indeed. My father and another friend accompanied me when I confronted him in 2020 and I was 61. I think the best part is that it is no longer a secret.
Michele, thank you for pointing out another “clobber” verse. I am quite familiar with the ones used against LGBTQ individuals. And you are so right: Scripture is an interpretation by man. In his own language. For the era in which he lives. And in a way his culture can understand. (My master’s is in English/Spanish interpretation and translation. What an eye opener!)
Thank you.
Thank you so very much for what you have written as I so resonate with much of it in my own journey through healing CPTSD and how to be a Christian lover of Jesus as well as have true community in churches that had no conception of what such trauma is really like so that well-meaning folks gave me advice and so on that only reinforced or added to the traumas...I also thank you for the recommendation of the recent book on Psalm 23 from the perspective of one who gets trauma in the ways that you point out - I ordered it just now as I need such written insights and hope as part of my healing journey. God bless you :-)