tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post1052437251245437297..comments2023-10-01T06:32:11.982-07:00Comments on PEACE in PUZZLES: HookyIntegrity Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09196095126605205738noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-65612709871763780372011-03-15T19:15:30.645-07:002011-03-15T19:15:30.645-07:00I knwo this is an old post but I am reading it for...I knwo this is an old post but I am reading it for the 1st time and I am very saddened that your church isn't supporting you. I don't think many churches know how to handle families post adoption. We have a minstry at our church called Through The Roof. It partners kids with special needs with the same buddy every church service. They go to all the same classes as their peers but they always have their buddy to help them. And as far as "God will never give you more then you can handle'- that was a sermon at our church as one of Satan's lies. There will be times in our life when its more then we can handle, if we could handle it all-why in the world would we need God or Jesus?The Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03267785794303529355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-10458652721702941692011-02-03T08:51:26.332-08:002011-02-03T08:51:26.332-08:00If I didn't know any better, I'd say we at...If I didn't know any better, I'd say we attend the same judgmental church. Even when the autistic 4 year old fell into the nursery window, shattering it, and him almost falling out and two stories down, they blamed the mom for "imposing" his disabilities on the nursery workers. I was sick to my stomach and very vocal about their judgments.<br /><br />Even worse, one of the two ministers doesn't "believe" in ADHD, BiPolar Disorder, RAD, and other mental issues. How can you minister to those afflicted and affected if you don't believe it is possible??Tara - SanitySrchrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11389093745334636867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-69702740324419646272011-02-01T07:27:20.620-08:002011-02-01T07:27:20.620-08:00I'm so sorry you've had this judgemental e...I'm so sorry you've had this judgemental experience. Please know that not all church bodies preach that your struggles are a consequence of your sin, and even individual congregations within a denomination can vary greatly. You are not being punished, though I know it feels like that some days. You are a blessing to your children, and even if it doesn't feel like it, you are making a difference in Sissy's life. And if even one family in your church learns from you, you have made a difference.<br /><br />I am excited that recently a leader in our church synod sought me out, along with other moms dealing with mental health issues, to find out how they can better educate pastors and teachers about these challenges (especially in the seminary), and how they can support us. I know it will be slow in coming, but it gives me hope that someone realizes this is a need, and there will be change. Not fast enough to help you at your church, but slowly, it will come.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04452561735236501206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-74411547569406980882011-01-30T21:02:12.759-08:002011-01-30T21:02:12.759-08:00My daughter, 7, has been diagnosed with mental ret...My daughter, 7, has been diagnosed with mental retardation (for unknown reasons), expressive/receptive language disorder, ADHD, poor muscle tone, an immature nervous system and shows autistic tendancies. I have an idea of how frustrating daily life can be. I also have to deal with the uninformed. However, I attend a small, protestant church where we truly feel like family, so most people are aware of Beauty's special needs. <br />Having never been catholic, I cannot relate entirely to your frustrations, though I have heard similar "theologies" in the evangelical/protestant world.<br />What I do know is, God never promised us a wealthy, healthy, easy life; no matter our level of spirituality etc. In fact Paul suffered from an affliction that was not removed, being told "my grace is sufficient". That's what it boils down to. We live in a fallen world, so disease and distress abound. However, God's grace is sufficient to see us through. <br />I am praying for God to give you strength and wisdom daily, as well as speak to your heart so you may be comforted and encouraged. You are doing a mighty work. As mothers, we must remember to do all for God's glory, for that is the purpose of life. We may or may not reap the rewards on earth, but will definately do so in Heaven.<br />God bless you and your family,<br />MarciaMarciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-51722958666730797892011-01-30T19:47:03.517-08:002011-01-30T19:47:03.517-08:00I believe much as you do . . . sometimes we just s...I believe much as you do . . . sometimes we just suffer because we live in a fallen world. There are no easy answers. None. As much as we might wish there are. The only thing Iknow to do is offer my pain up to God and allow Him to walk with me through it. I'm praying that you will find Him an ever present help in time of sorrow. Remember that He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.Happymom4 aka Hope Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13853646859979784516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-56270901308388758532011-01-30T18:30:16.653-08:002011-01-30T18:30:16.653-08:00I'm Roman Catholic and this concept of someone...I'm Roman Catholic and this concept of someone suffering as a consequence and the concept of tithe generously and you shall be blessed has not been my experience at all. I've never heard it put that way in any RC church. HOWEVER I've been to a number of Pentecostal services with a friend and these concepts are EXACTLY what I was hearing preached ... repeatedly and in very plain language. (it was not a case of me interpeting something the wrong way). I was dumbfounded and sad because it just seems so "not right". <br /><br />And then it would sometimes be "Communion Sunday" ... there would be the whole preamble of who should not partake because of sin, etc. I would have been welcomed to partake but did not wish to because it didn't feel right to me. I'd sit there and pass the juice along and feel like a total heathen. It was not a comfortable feeling at all. It all struck me as so different and unwelcoming.<br /><br />I'm sorry that you feel unsupported and judged by the attitudes of those in your church. I'm sorry things are tough (understatement). (((Hugs))) and prayers.<br /><br />Maria (Canada)MariaGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09701753924118367672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-63836103427196486362011-01-30T17:54:28.305-08:002011-01-30T17:54:28.305-08:00Amen. Take what strength and peace you can from C...Amen. Take what strength and peace you can from Christ's life and love, and leave all the rest behind.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16350475092186040175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-77895740183133423142011-01-30T16:12:37.004-08:002011-01-30T16:12:37.004-08:00Sorry your church has been so unsupportive of your...Sorry your church has been so unsupportive of your experiences. We have found great acceptance and understanding in the United Church of Christ and thier inclusive ministry. Parents like us need more meaningful support systems for our success, not fewer supports. Hoping you can find a church home that holds your family up in good times and bad.Mama Drama Times Twohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04935810256080795505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-79666198582520691302011-01-30T15:11:09.306-08:002011-01-30T15:11:09.306-08:00You have my love, prayers, and support. God's ...You have my love, prayers, and support. God's too.GB's Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08866513131959998883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-77179186461345066082011-01-30T14:32:03.510-08:002011-01-30T14:32:03.510-08:00As someone with PTSD from religiously based abuse ...As someone with PTSD from religiously based abuse along with developmental issues, I can relate to parts of that. My minister was receptive when I talked to him about the PTSD, but I didn't mention the other stuff in detail because I wasn't sure how he'd handle it. I usually just skip church because it's such an emotional ordeal to go.kisekileiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17967070182847617840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347324365882583578.post-8155735980994817392011-01-30T12:10:59.903-08:002011-01-30T12:10:59.903-08:00What I believe is that life is hard and it's s...What I believe is that life is hard and it's supposed to be hard. When the scriptures talk about the "refiner's fire" they aren't kidding. Life isn't fair and people who do everything right are sometimes the ones that suffer the most (look at Job). If that's the truth of the Bible, then what Christ offers is NOT relief from pain and suffering - at least not in the sense of taking it all away. What I believe is that Christ works in ways for our good - but not necessarily in ways that we want. He can strengthen us in our burdens, He can comfort us in our sorrow, He can send help in the form of friends and even strangers. He promises that this life is just a short period in our eternal life, and that the most important thing we can do here is to follow Him. Our life might look messy - it might be mostly sorrowful - but if we never stop trying to follow Him we can't be stopped from being with Him in the end. Christ does promise peace - "not as the world giveth" - but peace nonetheless. Sissy may never change and that will be a huge sorrow - yet Christ can heal that sorrow for you, even if Sissy won't let Him heal her. I'm sorry your church isn't giving you the help you so desperately need. I wish I lived close to you so I could offer respite. But I am praying for you and I know that God loves you and weeps for your pain.Johannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11490727625082003162noreply@blogger.com