Illness in the Church

I must be honest, guys, my heart burns with passion and indignation on this subject, which is why it has taken me a while to write this post.  I knew I would have to be very careful with my words, not only because of my own personal experiences with this topic, but also because I can hear the voices of many echoing in my mind.  In fact, recently there has been an increase of people who have come to me with tears in their eyes because they have been told their faith “just isn’t strong enough”, and that is why I can now no longer be silent.

Some of my readers know that I spent the night before my sixteenth birthday in the ER.  What would follow was two years of living through a very traumatic and debilitating condition and being subjected to much medical analysis.  But this post is not really about that.  Rather, this post is being written because of some of the statements made to me during this time, by the church, which I now see other young men and women unfairly, and often ignorantly, subjected to.

Full Schedule

I promise, I really haven't abandoned the blog.  Life's just been crazy and a lot is going on in my life.  As much as I love sharing stuff with you guys, the blog is a lower priority.  Don’t lose hope, though, I have all sorts of ideas for the blog playing around in this head of mine.

So, why am I posting a "blog post" about this instead of just leaving the blog sit until I have something to post for you all?  Well, two reasons.  Firstly, I thought this would be a good time to let you guys know about some of the things I’m planning for the blog.  Sort of a backstage pass type of thing, if you will.  

Secondly, because I want to open the floor to you guys.  More on that later, though.  First, let's look at what I’m cooking up for the near future. 

Heroes

I would like to say that great care and prayer has gone into the words you are about to read.  I fully recognize that what I am about to share is very controversial, but I share it because I believe that it is something that needs to be said.

Where are the heroes?  I’m not talking about our Firemen, Police, Marines, or Paramedics, though I deeply respect these heroes.   I’m asking where those average, ordinary, everyday heroes are.  The heroes who are unafraid to tell a drunk young man not to get into a car, but will instead pick up said young man and ensure he gets to a safe destination.  The type of heroes who give love and support to the young woman who finds out about the out of wedlock life she carries within.  The heroes who take in a troubled teen.  The heroes who offer safety to an abused woman.

Lying: Right or Wrong?

Another unusual subject that I was somehow wrangled into posting by my lovely friends.  They seem to have no qualms in prodding me, do they?  Good thing I love them so much.

Now, this post is likely to be controversial, which may come as no shock given the title...  I will be looking at lying from a lot of different angles, some of which have been uncomfortable to people I have discussed this with.  However, I think it is an important topic, one often not fully explored.

Beauty Under Fire

That’s right, I’m going there. 

I love beauty.  I love painting my nails.  I love finding antique looking bracelets and, on occasion, I do buy them.  I love to braid, twist, and pin my hair up.  In fact, I love when the sun’s warm glow graces my head and brings out all those natural highlights you don’t normally see in my dark tresses, or  when the wind swirls wisps of hair around my face.  When I’m out in the cold, and Jack Frost is nipping at my nose, I love the rosy glow that dots my cheeks.  I love making a quick turn and feeling my skirt swirl around my legs.  To tell the truth, I am incredibly fond of my fingerless gloves and wear them whenever possible.  And furthermore, I love when Daddy or one of the boys (my brothers are the boys, by the way) tells me how pretty I look.

What Doesn't Kill You... Makes you Stronger

It's no secret that I passionately believe the hard times in life are not a curse— they are a blessing.  I believe what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  The hard times make you stand a little taller, know yourself better, believe that you can survive.  In the end, what doesn’t kill you makes you into a fighter, someone who can run the race of life with confidence.

God tells us this is true, so is it any surprise that science now has the proof to back it up?  Because hard times and troubles are such a big part of people’s lives, scientists have been studying the effect that these things have on our bodies and minds.  Researcher Mark Seery, a psychologist at the University at Buffalo in the U.S., said: ‘Serious events – like the death of a child or parent, a natural disaster, being physically attacked, experiencing sexual abuse, or being forcibly separated from your family – can cause psychological problems.  In fact, some research has suggested that the best way to go through life is having nothing ever happen to you. But not only is that unrealistic, it’s not necessarily healthy.’

Legitimate Violence: Self Defense

The issue of self defense is a widely debated topic within the church.  Some say we should be pacifistic and “turn the other cheek”, others say we should be willing to put a bullet through anyone who comes to take something from us, whether that be  of monetary value or eternal value.  In the end, though, it doesn’t really matter what people argue.  What matters is what the Bible has to say on the subject, and the Bible isn’t silent on this topic.

After giving my views on self defense to a number of friends, I was encouraged to rewrite my post in a manner that would allow me to share those views with you all.  After some consideration I have taken their advice, and this post is the results.

Grief Potatoes

So many well-meaning, wonderful, loving people offer the token advice of “time heals wounds” whenever a loss or tragedy occurs.  Unfortunately, it happens to be one of the worst things to tell the bereaved.  Not only does this saying de-legitimize what the grieving are feeling, it also holds no truth to it.  Time does not heal wounds.  In fact, it is a dangerous phrase, one I easily fell into during the early days of loss. 

So why is this phrase so dangerous, you may ask inquisitively (if you are not asking this then pretend you are, for my sake)?  Well, in essence this saying tells us that we can sit around and be a grief potato— a term I coined to describe society’s couch potato approach to grief.  Not only is this unhealthy, but it sets people up for depression when time never heals their wounds… a depression that can have destructive results. 

Children Never Forget

I am obediently sharing this on my blog, as requested:

Children never forget. 

You know, as much as we think that things don’t affect children like they do adults, we are dead wrong. They understand way more than we give them credit for. They are very in tune to things.

Elianna showed the affects of losing Samuel in many ways. They were very different than the rest of us, but they were obvious reactions to the loss of her brother.

For example: Elianna loved being in Samuel’s room. It’s where all the action happened. We were in there all the time and she adored her brother. He was hers. Talk about a little nurse in training. Elianna had her routine down pat. If she wanted to get up on the bed to play with brother, she knew she needed to use Germ-X. She’d get a pump of sanitizer and then away she would go with a hand washing motion, rubbing it all in.

Introducing the Blog

Perhaps seeing this blog is as surprising to you as it is for me.  Honestly, I never planned on ending up in the blogging community again.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but it is amazing how interconnected different aspects of our life can be.  My last blog didn't end with a happily ever after, and it was very difficult for me to continue blogging.  There is a certain vulnerability to a blogger.  You lay your soul out for others to see.  My heart had already suffered a devastating blow, and I wasn't sure I wanted people to see what was left to share.