Serving When Sad-The Blue Teapot

Sad Teapot by Neiil Oswald.
 https://flic.kr/p/8scaVu

If you read many of my posts, or know me, you know that I am a professed victim of depression. I suffer from a mental illness that is as real as any physical disease. Anything or nothing can signal the black clouds to gather and darken overhead. And if something difficult happens while I'm under that black cloud, it is easy to allow it to surround me and choke out all light and joy. However, over the years, the Lord allowed me to learn the signs of the approaching gloom, and He sends comfort at just the right time to keep me from disappearing into that black, cold cloud.

That's not to say I don't have my bout of tears, sighs, and general mopiness. Believe me. Ask my family, my dog, my close friends, my therapist, my doctor. I get to a place where chocolate seems to be the only good thing in life, and I have none and I don't feel strong enough to get in the car and go get it. It can get bad. Real bad. And this short, stout little teapot of a woman can get very, very blue.

The most astounding thing about what the Lord has done for me in all of this? Even in my darkest blue state, when someone calls me for help, the clouds grow lighter, the blues fade, and I find myself being able to give that person sound advice that can come only from the leading of the Holy Spirit. This unworthy vessel can serve even when suffering because I have made it available for the Master's use. That's just wild. Really. Think about it. All I have to do is what I was made to do, be a vessel to His glory.

Am I always ready for use? Nope. I'm flawed. Sometimes, I do let the clouds choke me and fill me up with dread, shame and hopelessness. That's when depression easily leads to sin. Satan delights in tricking God's children, and he will use any weakness he can to pull us from the delight of God's presence. And since he is second in power only to God, he can do a very thorough job of it. Don't doubt that. He is evil, but he is very talented and creative.

So what to do? As I said earlier, I have learned the warning signs, some of which are particular to me, and when I heed them I do better. When I am hit with something particularly difficult? I understand that it's natural to be sad, and down, and understand it will pass as it has in the past. But I also know that I need to tell someone, and admit I'm struggling. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, especially for those of us recovering from the "Big F Fundamentalism" mindset, it shows great bravery. We ask for help when we have the flu, don't we? If we ignore the symptoms of flu and carry on as normal, we may injure ourselves to the point of dying, all while infecting and hurting everyone we contact. The same potential is there when we suffer with depression and don't recognize its power to harm us and those around us.

If you think you may possibly suffer from depression, reach out for help. This link: Signs of Clinical Depression, sends you to WebMD's site and has a great deal of good information about the medical side of depression.

Serving when sad? It's possible as long as we listen to the leading of the Spirit, and realize that depression is an illness and process that we must recognize and handle with care in ourselves in others. 

Praising Him under the clouds and waiting for the sun,
Teapotjan

Red and Yellow, Black and White Privilege, The Teapot's Shady Friends

God has brought many people my way. Sometimes it seems that if I sit and wait, willing to minister and serve, that people come to me unbidden, but all in God's timing.

One of these people became an "adopted" son. He is extroverted, loud, sometimes obnoxious, Dominican (hispanic and black), political, outspoken, and amazing. Oh, and the absolute worst? He's from NYC. 

But all that aside, he loves God, and he empathizes with other people of color and of non-European descent and the struggles they face.

To the irritation of some, he often speaks of "white privilege" and the lack of issues that privilege affords them. Honestly when I first saw this term in his posts, I rolled my eyes. No, I thought. The race issue is dead or at least dying. Let it be. You're just stirring up trouble.

As I read on, and in subsequent conversations with him, I learned more about what he meant by "white privilege" and what it really means to a Christian of color. It pops up in movies as jokes. Remember in Men in Black II? Wil Smith's character, J clicks a remote and a realistic robot driver pops up behind the wheel. K, his partner asks "Did that come standard?" J answers, "No, it came with a black guy, but he kept getting pulled over."

The fact is that racial profiling still occurs. It's something light-skinned people don't really have to concern themselves about on a day to day basis. And while you and I might not be racist, we can't even begin to think that everyone feels the same.

I'm not saying that there are not hate-mongers of all colors. Oddly enough, racism crosses all ethnic, social, and cultural boundaries. No matter our skin color, we all bleed red, and we were all born sinners.

And I'm not saying that we can make up for the years of slavery that the ancestors of my friends suffered through by any means. But I can realize the impact that the mindset from that time has on today's treatment of people of color. 

So what am I saying? Don't assume that because a black/hispanic/dark-skinned/non-caucasian talks about white privilege that they are racist or angry at all white people. Realize that they must deal with a part of our culture, that light skinned people have not faced, at least not in this country, in this generation.

I am thankful for my friends of all shades. Being raised in the deep South, and very, very white, and just barely old enough to remember what a big deal integration was, I have become, in God's timing, pretty much color blind. Ignorance and hate come packaged in all shades of skin. But so does love and graciousness. Notice a friend's skin color for one reason: to help you realize one of the struggles they may face each day.

Glow in the dark white, with a lot of "shady" friends,
Teapotjan 

The Face of "Abomination"

No matter what you believe about same sex attraction, and same sex marriage, listen to this young man's testimony, and see if you can still call homosexual desire an "abomination." We can all have our opinions, but perhaps, as Christians we should temper our words with compassion.

No one has ever been drawn to Christ by angry, hateful words, and attitude. But everyone who came to Christ ultimately came because of His love.

This young man is an SBC pastor's son. His struggle is obvious. His "abomination" is not.

This isn't about gay people parading around in the streets. This isn't about politics, and laws. This isn't about rainbows and unicorns and abominations. And it isn't about you. It's about souls spurning the Gospel because of hate filled Christians. It's about young Christians filled with self hate and loathing and having no where to go for help. It's about our real job: 

SERVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS

Prayers and blessings,

Teapotjan

I See You

You there. The victim of abuse. You, who finally scraped together enough courage to tell someone about what they did. How you felt. About your guilt and self-hate. Your bitterness toward that leader, that parent, that person who stood and watched and knew and said nothing. You, the disillusioned.

I saw the light of hope in your eyes when the "bastion" of your faith took what seemed a huge step toward your healing. I hoped with you. And I prayed. 

Then I saw. The headlines and the news. When I looked at you, I saw hurt, tears, pain, and fear. I cried with you. I felt sick.

And I heard you. You said that you weren't sure you could share your story again. Once was just shy of too much. I saw you. I saw the light of hope fade. Bless you. I see you.

And I pray. I pray that your stories will be heard, for your healing, and for the wisdom of those who hold the promise of hope in their meetings and words.

I know. I know that you hurt. I know that this is hard. But I also know that God is aware. 

He sees you.
He loves you.
And in spite of mistakes made by flawed people, 
He remains. Unchangeable. All Powerful. All Knowing.

See Him. He who created all, and sees each tear, and provides all peace. 

HE WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

GRACE

The Angry, Prayerful Teapot

Lord, bless this post. I pray I don't make hasty judgements, and untrue statements. Be with those that hurt. May my words lift them up and glorify You. I stand by their needs and hope to 

Posts concerning abuse, GRACE, and Bob Jones University have flooded my Facebook wall, and their content has flooded my heart. When GRACE revealed that their investigation had been halted by officials at Bob Jones University just shy of the end of the process, I cried out in anger, sorrow, and disappointment. But before speaking, I waited to see what the University would do. But they haven't done anything but spin the whole matter, and that anger, sorrow, and disappointment still rage in my heart.

I don't know what GRACE has found. I know the names of only a few of the victims who spoke with them. But I know that as the news spread out across the internet, those victims were slapped in the face with the fact that a Christian institution valued protecting its own objectives over helping heal the pain of hurting individuals. 

That statement does not spring lightly from my lips. I loved the University at one point, and I appreciate the education I received there. I made great friends while attending and working there. Working in Public Safety, I saw people at their worst, and I was aware of some of the spin thought necessary to protect both the the University and the cause of Christ. When the GRACE investigation started I, like many, hailed it as a real changed in the thought process of the University administration. And perhaps it was. But as time passed, and the contents of the GRACE report loomed near, the old thought processes kicked in, and the excuses and spin began again. 

If those who make the decisions really cared about abuse victims, and did not fear what may be released, they would have informed the victims and the public in general of any problems BEFORE they fired GRACE. Doing otherwise, they have contributed to the climate of abuse as much, if not more, than if they had never started the investigation. I continue to feel this way even after reading all the links concerning ABWE, and many others. They responded badly-again. The University no longer has the luxury of releasing only the information they want. The information age is here, and when an institution fails to act in a forthright and transparent manner, it automatically brings suspicion down upon its own head.

This article came across my news feed this morning, and I feel that it covers the situation well. Please click The American Conservative to see the article.

If you want more information, message or email me, and I will send links to the sites with announcements from GRACE and BJU. The news has spread far, any many media outlets have taken up the story.

For those victims of abuse: I am praying for you. Be assured that in spite of the actions of flawed humans, the God who created all will do what is right and just. 

Disillusioned, but looking UP,
Teapotjan