"Jesus immediately does some bag inventory at this resurrection breakfast—so he can restore him. To him. But also to Peter." Beautiful, Amy. I don't remember thinking of Peter's restoration this way. Don't we all need restoring to our truest selves? I hear the gentle, relentless love of Jesus here + I tell you, I needed to hear this very thing. Thank you 🫶✨.
I have a bag filled with shadows, memories, and mosaic pieces that I am currently unpacking with the help of my old diaries. This process is part of my mission to help others who were part of the same church system I was in. I want them to understand that the teachings and beliefs we were given were different from the true nature of God. We were taught that salvation was only for the elect and that almost no one would be saved. However, I have come to realize that God is merciful and salvation is indeed possible for many.
This journey of unpacking my bag is deeply emotional for me. Sometimes, I find myself crying as I go through these shadows and memories because it brings back parts of a past that feels almost like a different reality. It’s something from which I have been freed, including the restrictive views on men and women that I once held. Now, I aim to share my experiences and insights with caution and a touch of humor. By doing so, I hope to offer a new perspective to those still entrenched in the old beliefs and help them see the broader, more inclusive nature of God's love and mercy.
At my church, I've been told a couple of times that I have baggage. The implication being that I should be able to drop it and start fresh at my new church without judgement.
I finally examined that argument, and realized that it's not baggage, it's scars and wounds, and it's the way I've been shaped by my pain.
I also realized that, since I have been on so many more church hunts than they have, that no church is completely unique. There are patterns, commonalities, repeated structures and processes and assumptions. I've seen it all before, I know how it goes.
They think I'm bitter and that it's a problem with me that I keep having to change churches. They seem to have no idea that so many churches could have so much in common.
I'm so sorry, Bethany. You need to be a place that will sit with your wounds and hear your story with patience and empathy. It's such a basic part of trauma informed care: to take the responsibility to be a person who is trustworthy.
Thankfully there are also people like that at my church. And it's a new church, so not as much set in stone. We have plans for me to share my story with our small group. It's possible that sharing my story will make space for others to share theirs. That would feel so redemptive of my pain.
"Jesus immediately does some bag inventory at this resurrection breakfast—so he can restore him. To him. But also to Peter." Beautiful, Amy. I don't remember thinking of Peter's restoration this way. Don't we all need restoring to our truest selves? I hear the gentle, relentless love of Jesus here + I tell you, I needed to hear this very thing. Thank you 🫶✨.
I'm so glad to give you a timely word of encouragement!
Also...Aimee, not Amy 🤦🤦🤦. I'm Debby not Debbie, so I try to be careful 😊. Names matter. Sorry about that! 🫶✨
Aw, thank you and no worries, Debby.
I have a bag filled with shadows, memories, and mosaic pieces that I am currently unpacking with the help of my old diaries. This process is part of my mission to help others who were part of the same church system I was in. I want them to understand that the teachings and beliefs we were given were different from the true nature of God. We were taught that salvation was only for the elect and that almost no one would be saved. However, I have come to realize that God is merciful and salvation is indeed possible for many.
This journey of unpacking my bag is deeply emotional for me. Sometimes, I find myself crying as I go through these shadows and memories because it brings back parts of a past that feels almost like a different reality. It’s something from which I have been freed, including the restrictive views on men and women that I once held. Now, I aim to share my experiences and insights with caution and a touch of humor. By doing so, I hope to offer a new perspective to those still entrenched in the old beliefs and help them see the broader, more inclusive nature of God's love and mercy.
Thank you for this article
Thank you for sharing this, Rita. I'm so glad you are free from that. But unpacking our bags is some serious emotional work!
Celebrate Recovery is very much dedicated to solving what you describe.
At my church, I've been told a couple of times that I have baggage. The implication being that I should be able to drop it and start fresh at my new church without judgement.
I finally examined that argument, and realized that it's not baggage, it's scars and wounds, and it's the way I've been shaped by my pain.
I also realized that, since I have been on so many more church hunts than they have, that no church is completely unique. There are patterns, commonalities, repeated structures and processes and assumptions. I've seen it all before, I know how it goes.
They think I'm bitter and that it's a problem with me that I keep having to change churches. They seem to have no idea that so many churches could have so much in common.
I'm so sorry, Bethany. You need to be a place that will sit with your wounds and hear your story with patience and empathy. It's such a basic part of trauma informed care: to take the responsibility to be a person who is trustworthy.
Thankfully there are also people like that at my church. And it's a new church, so not as much set in stone. We have plans for me to share my story with our small group. It's possible that sharing my story will make space for others to share theirs. That would feel so redemptive of my pain.
Thank you for sharing this, Bill. Yes, so much of this is about friendship!