We grow wiser as we grow older. (Except for some people)😉 We all have been a little judgey before our world grew bigger. Those that don’t learn to appreciate diversity are either living in a tiny bubble or are that way because of money. I started a harm reduction nonprofit to help those with substance use disorder. I give them what they need to stay healthy, safe and alive. I do it in honor of my son, Austin, who overdosed from OxyContin. NoMore-Overdoses.com
This is beautifully written. You just described so much of what I’ve been through. Now as an open trans man this really hits close to home. Thank you for sharing! 💙
You are a very courageous to be open with who you are and who you love. I am grateful you are here and I thank you for commenting. So much love your way. I hope you are healing from the wounds church has caused.
Much love and big hugs to you! People like you are changing the world one step at a time. Thank you for everything you do, and thank you for your kindness!
Thank you for giving me some words to put in for my hurts. God is larger than any Church. And he loves us, all our hurts, our faults etc. You were doing what you thought was right at the time. So don’t be so hard on yourself. Remember God loves you even if at times you may have been different. At least you did learn and have changed and that’s what life allows us to do. If only more of us were willing to be open to other’s, to not let hate fill our hearts if people don’t agree etc.
So glad you wrote this, Mary Katherine. I can definitely relate.
I felt judged by my mother for rejecting her church beliefs, as they felt oppressive. And yet, I have done the same judging in my early adult life. It can take awhile to figure it all out, repent, and forgive. And most especially, learn how to forgive yourself ❤️
Oh yes Mary K..............I too taught and preached all of the above as taught by my Southern Baptist Church from youth group scalp hunting to mission trips to dissing Catholics.....yes, yes, yes all of the above. What pompous asses we were. Now too I am embarrassed and apologetic. How much easier and joyful sharing the gospel of love. Recommend COTTON PATCH GOSPEL...............matthew . “Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you rest, Get in the harness with me and let me teach you, for I am trained and have a cooperative spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. For my harness is practical, and my assignment is joy” PURE JOY SHARING THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD IS NOT MAD AT US BUT HAS ONLY LOVE LIKE A FATHER. Your heart said it so well......for me BUT FOR GRACE....I would have walked away long ago. Pray for you regularly MK......b
As a gay man, I can forgive YOU, and YOU alone. But not the church. I grew-up in Wyoming during the 90s, and came out a few months after Matthew Sheppard was killed. My dad pulled a gun on me. And I faced alot of persecution for being gay. Predominately through Mormons. The rough and tough oil field kids, who loved me, are the ones who protected me. And I see how the church and Trump are brainwashing these poor people and that is what Wyoming is like now. I lived in Utah for 4 years, and I have PTSD from it. I'm in Texas, where I'm reminded every 5 minutes Jesus is King and I'm very lucky if I can escape a preacher at the store. The church is turning this country into a theocracy. And I don't want to live in a theocracy and I'm tired of dealing with it. So I'm moving. To Europe. Where I don't have to deal with it. But I'm being ejected from my own country because I can't deal with it. And I shouldn't have to. But I do. And that is for my OWN wellness. Not Jesus', or Gods, or a Preachers. MINE. So I can forgive you and a human being, but I can never forgive the church as an organization.
To Wes, I'm so sorry for your horrid experiences. Here in New Zealand there has been a big shift against the trans community and it scares me. As a mum of a trans daughter it scares me how much hate people have toward other human beings.
I can only imagine how hard life has been but I truly hope you find peace and acceptance on your journey to a new contry.
You've put in words everything I've wanted to say, especially to myself. It's so hard to stop the voice that says how God wants us to behave, no matter what it is. The church grooms us to do these things from the time we are born, and then it's passed on. Don't be too hard on yourself, just do your best to learn and be better. 💚 That's all any of us can do. Much love
I’ve told you before - your soul brought me here. No one can shine that brightly without time spent in darkness. Never fault what got you here - you were a caterpillar. You are now a butterfly.
I went to church with my father-in-law a while back. The preacher that day issued a similar apology - not so much for himself, but for Christianity in general. As I was leaving, I thanked him for the apology. He whirled around in front of me and searched deeply into my eyes. He needed that thank you. Many of us, with any age, do…so just in case…thank you, MK.
My favorite memories of you so far…
They were during your “you should write a book” class. They weren’t profound tidbits of wisdom. They weren’t sage advice from experience. Actually, they were just the opposite. Baby steps. Moments where you allowed yourself to say things the old you was never allowed to say. And that child-like blush.
This, MK!! Wish I could go back with a magic wand and change all the horrific things I’ve done in the name of “Christianity “. My heart is forever broken.
We grow wiser as we grow older. (Except for some people)😉 We all have been a little judgey before our world grew bigger. Those that don’t learn to appreciate diversity are either living in a tiny bubble or are that way because of money. I started a harm reduction nonprofit to help those with substance use disorder. I give them what they need to stay healthy, safe and alive. I do it in honor of my son, Austin, who overdosed from OxyContin. NoMore-Overdoses.com
You do a great service to your sons memory. Thank you for sharing.
This is beautifully written. You just described so much of what I’ve been through. Now as an open trans man this really hits close to home. Thank you for sharing! 💙
You are a very courageous to be open with who you are and who you love. I am grateful you are here and I thank you for commenting. So much love your way. I hope you are healing from the wounds church has caused.
Much love and big hugs to you! People like you are changing the world one step at a time. Thank you for everything you do, and thank you for your kindness!
This was painful and lovely, MK. Thank you.
Thank you for being here and supporting my voice. It means more than you can imagine.
Thank you for giving me some words to put in for my hurts. God is larger than any Church. And he loves us, all our hurts, our faults etc. You were doing what you thought was right at the time. So don’t be so hard on yourself. Remember God loves you even if at times you may have been different. At least you did learn and have changed and that’s what life allows us to do. If only more of us were willing to be open to other’s, to not let hate fill our hearts if people don’t agree etc.
Our world needs a lot of love ❤️
Forgiving yourself. Boy, that is the hard part.
So glad you wrote this, Mary Katherine. I can definitely relate.
I felt judged by my mother for rejecting her church beliefs, as they felt oppressive. And yet, I have done the same judging in my early adult life. It can take awhile to figure it all out, repent, and forgive. And most especially, learn how to forgive yourself ❤️
Sometimes in rejecting Church, we finally find God.
THIS!
Wow, really beautiful & authentic. Thank you for your words & heart.
Thank you for being here. It is very validating.
Life and faith are both a process.. you lived the process as best you could with what you knew and grew
Thank you for this. Such a gracious perspective
Oh yes Mary K..............I too taught and preached all of the above as taught by my Southern Baptist Church from youth group scalp hunting to mission trips to dissing Catholics.....yes, yes, yes all of the above. What pompous asses we were. Now too I am embarrassed and apologetic. How much easier and joyful sharing the gospel of love. Recommend COTTON PATCH GOSPEL...............matthew . “Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you rest, Get in the harness with me and let me teach you, for I am trained and have a cooperative spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. For my harness is practical, and my assignment is joy” PURE JOY SHARING THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD IS NOT MAD AT US BUT HAS ONLY LOVE LIKE A FATHER. Your heart said it so well......for me BUT FOR GRACE....I would have walked away long ago. Pray for you regularly MK......b
As a gay man, I can forgive YOU, and YOU alone. But not the church. I grew-up in Wyoming during the 90s, and came out a few months after Matthew Sheppard was killed. My dad pulled a gun on me. And I faced alot of persecution for being gay. Predominately through Mormons. The rough and tough oil field kids, who loved me, are the ones who protected me. And I see how the church and Trump are brainwashing these poor people and that is what Wyoming is like now. I lived in Utah for 4 years, and I have PTSD from it. I'm in Texas, where I'm reminded every 5 minutes Jesus is King and I'm very lucky if I can escape a preacher at the store. The church is turning this country into a theocracy. And I don't want to live in a theocracy and I'm tired of dealing with it. So I'm moving. To Europe. Where I don't have to deal with it. But I'm being ejected from my own country because I can't deal with it. And I shouldn't have to. But I do. And that is for my OWN wellness. Not Jesus', or Gods, or a Preachers. MINE. So I can forgive you and a human being, but I can never forgive the church as an organization.
To Wes, I'm so sorry for your horrid experiences. Here in New Zealand there has been a big shift against the trans community and it scares me. As a mum of a trans daughter it scares me how much hate people have toward other human beings.
I can only imagine how hard life has been but I truly hope you find peace and acceptance on your journey to a new contry.
You've put in words everything I've wanted to say, especially to myself. It's so hard to stop the voice that says how God wants us to behave, no matter what it is. The church grooms us to do these things from the time we are born, and then it's passed on. Don't be too hard on yourself, just do your best to learn and be better. 💚 That's all any of us can do. Much love
Finally read this one -
I’ve told you before - your soul brought me here. No one can shine that brightly without time spent in darkness. Never fault what got you here - you were a caterpillar. You are now a butterfly.
I went to church with my father-in-law a while back. The preacher that day issued a similar apology - not so much for himself, but for Christianity in general. As I was leaving, I thanked him for the apology. He whirled around in front of me and searched deeply into my eyes. He needed that thank you. Many of us, with any age, do…so just in case…thank you, MK.
My favorite memories of you so far…
They were during your “you should write a book” class. They weren’t profound tidbits of wisdom. They weren’t sage advice from experience. Actually, they were just the opposite. Baby steps. Moments where you allowed yourself to say things the old you was never allowed to say. And that child-like blush.
You look good in red.
OMG, I've never read/heard it said so clearly, eloquently, and sincerely. Thank you as one of those maligned and hurt.
Life is about making mistakes.
I'm glad you are able to ask for forgiveness and I hope you get it.
This, MK!! Wish I could go back with a magic wand and change all the horrific things I’ve done in the name of “Christianity “. My heart is forever broken.
The further you walk away, the better you’ll feel. God IS love and IT can be found everywhere not in an institution.
You are wise and growing every day. Special words many of us can relate t