PS: the last para DOES NOT apply to FCBC lawrence the kong or his church
Posted by a friend: "I hate Christians, and I only want to be around ...atheists, queers, fill in the blank". I said something similar around three years ago. I did not mean the whole group, but really wanted to be passive-aggressive about the hurt I was feeling, and my anger towards those I assumed were religious. I now understand how my lament cut into the hearts of those I had been around. My generalizations about "Christians" lumped everyone into a category- and some of those were people I loved. I railed with anger, and wanted everyone to listen to me cause I was a fucking prophet. and I hurt people. People I cared for- people who read my words and were offended. How mean I was to the church and the individuals who make up that category. And yet, I never meant sweet little old Martha, nor sweet Susy Jane and Bobby Joe who brought me soup when I was sick and nearly dead during my first month of seminary. But yet, I was so damned angry that I alienated everyone with a series of facebook posts and tweets. I lost their trust, and the ability to be heard as a prophet, teacher, or even a different voice. I lost my voice, because I shut them down, I closed them off, and I lumped them into categories. I told them to see the Divine in the Muslim, the gay, the foreigner, and the atheist, and yet I didn't bother to see the divine in them. I was prideful. I thought I was "educated." I thought I was the posterfuckinggirl for the new Pentecostals. And all the time Philippians 2 lingered in my head & heart about serving all, and laying down power, and loving others, but I was too angry to listen. So I rejected everyone, lumped them into a category. I was a bigot. and I was wrong. Now, when I hear this from friends who are expressing hurt, I tilt my head and lean in, wanting them to know that I care about their feelings. And if they can hear from me, I will give them a safe space to share this pain. And also, I will show them that not all "Christians, Jesus people, spiritualists, fill in the blank" are complete dicks - but sometimes we have bad days, and bad weeks. And we do piss people off, hurt people and alienate people. But I hope to God I have also learned some wisdom. No matter how disgusted, pissed off, or feeling righteous indignation against injustice I hope to never lump everyone into a category, but rather say "we" - Rebecca Bec Cranford-Smith
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Perhaps others can relate?
How I responded: "Powerful confession. Thank God for God's grace. In the name of Christ, you are forgiven. (reconciliation rocks. : )"