#leavingsilence #forgivenessaftertrauma I survived, and I want to make it easier for other people to. Christian minister, writer, and advocate.
South Bend, Indiana
Joined January 2019
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I'm back on Twitter (or is it X now?). Here to chat about forgiveness, trauma, and of course #forgivenessaftertrauma.
This article about @HesstonCollege is profoundly unsurprising, though tragic, to me. My experience has been that when I was in the process of trying to leave abuse, many people within Mennonite institutions responded with exhortations towards "forgiveness" and "reconciliation."
Also, re: the @HesstonCollege officials: There isn't an "earning back of trust" after this type of abuse. The fact that they are still saying that demonstrates that they STILL don't get the point about forgiveness or reconciliation.
I hope that the book I've written with @BrazosPress , Forgiveness after Trauma, can make a small difference in these situations of spiritual abuse compounding already existing trauma.
Citing sexual predators without qualification in your writings is a good way to get yourself cut out of my syllabus in short order.
Earlier today, a silver car drove slowly down my street and shot at my house and my neighbors' houses. Thankfully, my 3 young kids were at daycare, not playing in the yard. I was at the window, but am ok. Our culture of gun violence should never feel normal.
Presenting on "Holding Stories of Sexualized Violence: Scripture's and Our Congregations'" at Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference tomorrow. Reflecting on how the "stuff" we bring as leaders and caregivers shapes how we respond to survivors' complex stories.
Another factor that influences how we respond to survivors involves how the perpetrator fits into our preconceived narratives, as well.
Like any self-respecting Mennonite, I'm watching a @GirlNamedTom concert on livestream with my laundry and dog tonight. #singlemomlife
Was called a social justice warrior today. Not meant as a compliment. Have never been so flattered.
*Just insert "peaceful."
Today I came across a verse, Isa. 5:7, that spoke to me in the wake of yet another mass shooting.
וַיְקַ֤ו לְמִשְׁפָּט֙ וְהִנֵּ֣ה מִשְׂפָּ֔ח לִצְדָקָ֖ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה צְעָקָֽה׃
Translation:
"He waited for justice, but see, bloodshed;
For righteousness, but see, a scream."
But that translation misses the cutting wordplay of the verse. The Hebrew words I've translated here as "justice" and "bloodshed" are nearly identical in sound, as are the words for "righteousness" and "scream."