Quote:
Originally Posted by dizzyde
Sister, I could not agree more. I think it is unbelievable when I hear things that are discussed in front of children, what hope do our kids have if they cannot have faith in the ministry or their fellow saints. The time will come all to soon when they have to find out about the ugly sides to people and life.
My parents never discussed church problems or problems within the ministry in front of me or my siblings, and I thank God for their wisdom. I told someone the other day, that when something really horrible was going on at church, I was the pastors child, and I was always the last to know. My friends would never believe that I didn't know about whatever it was, and I would go to my parents, horrified. I am so thankful for the protection of Godly parents!
We have a whole family of children in our church right now that are backslid, and I can place a direct line between how they feel about the church and God, and what they heard discussed in the home. (I know because one of the girls was friends with my daughter, and she would fill my child in with the trash that she heard, leaving my child to come to me with troubling questions.) It is a tragedy.
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I agree that we need to guard our children...but my thoughts run to adults as well.
My faith was shaken for a time when the ministry decided to 'caution' and 'warn' me about another member. She was highly esteemed, a devout, loyal, hard-working servant. A mentor to many, she helped many with her wisdom. And one of the most spiritual, prayerful, genuine Christians I know.
My only thought for months was, 'If
SHE can't 'make it'...what possible hope was there for
me?' I was devastated and crushed, and felt so very, very hopeless.
Did this woman fail God, or fall away? What great sin did she commit? None. Other than to break the cult-like cycle of 'owning' a saint: she decided to move away.
I spent much time in turmoil over that. I think most people would have just walked away and never looked back. I thank God that this dear woman planted much faith and trust in God in me, and that He never let go of me.
I learned a great lesson after this: MEN will fail, but God doesn't!
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