On January 28th, I posted this on Facebook. “Something amazing happened today. Someone came to the church seeking help. Not for gas money, or rental assistance, but for a broken heart and a frustration with God. She amazed me with her wiliness to move beyond her fears and accept the help that I was willing to provide. We read scripture, I offered a blessing, and we closed with a prayer. She conquered one of the biggest fears we all have, and that my friends is asking for help. Today was an amazing day.”
This someone who I speak about is an amazing person who sees very little value in life. Mental illness is obvious. Shame is easily visible. Anger and hurtful words come for this person's lips without even second guessing. It seems that this person has been thrown into the deep end of life and was never given a chance. But this person is strong and has fought back, sometimes with sinful behavior, sometimes as an act of saving their own life or the people they hold near and dear to them.
This person has come to me for help and I pray that I will be able to provide. I pray that I will be able to stop myself from saying the wrong things, when listening is my strongest ally. I scramble through scripture grasping for words to help repair this person’s wounded soul and this person has a response for everything. My son has provided me all the training I need to respond to, ‘why this’ or ‘why that.’ But this person’s questions are much harder and deal with anger and fear, unlike I have never seen before.
I have challenged myself to look beyond a broken exterior and provide whatever help I can. For now, it is mostly listening and providing a safe place for me and the individual. I am hopeful that I can articulate and show this person their life is worth living. That the sinful acts we commit have consequences, but no matter how grievous an act. It can not keep us from the loving forgiveness of God (Rom: 8:38-39)
I talk about this situation, because it helps me process the situation I experienced. I not sure where to go next and I not sure what our next conversation will bring. With the issues of metal illness I know I am poorly equipped, but so is our society. This has been an amazing week in the life of my ministry to the people of Abbottstown Pa, but I have a feeling, many others are suffering in a similar way. And I am not talking about across the country...I am talking about i
PSLAM 39:12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give hear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.”
This someone who I speak about is an amazing person who sees very little value in life. Mental illness is obvious. Shame is easily visible. Anger and hurtful words come for this person's lips without even second guessing. It seems that this person has been thrown into the deep end of life and was never given a chance. But this person is strong and has fought back, sometimes with sinful behavior, sometimes as an act of saving their own life or the people they hold near and dear to them.
This person has come to me for help and I pray that I will be able to provide. I pray that I will be able to stop myself from saying the wrong things, when listening is my strongest ally. I scramble through scripture grasping for words to help repair this person’s wounded soul and this person has a response for everything. My son has provided me all the training I need to respond to, ‘why this’ or ‘why that.’ But this person’s questions are much harder and deal with anger and fear, unlike I have never seen before.
I have challenged myself to look beyond a broken exterior and provide whatever help I can. For now, it is mostly listening and providing a safe place for me and the individual. I am hopeful that I can articulate and show this person their life is worth living. That the sinful acts we commit have consequences, but no matter how grievous an act. It can not keep us from the loving forgiveness of God (Rom: 8:38-39)
I talk about this situation, because it helps me process the situation I experienced. I not sure where to go next and I not sure what our next conversation will bring. With the issues of metal illness I know I am poorly equipped, but so is our society. This has been an amazing week in the life of my ministry to the people of Abbottstown Pa, but I have a feeling, many others are suffering in a similar way. And I am not talking about across the country...I am talking about i
PSLAM 39:12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give hear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.”
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