In the last three weeks, the south/southeast part of the US has unwillingly been subjected to the “collusion” of two deadly storms. Harvey took aim at Texas and left his mark of destruction with flooded homes, cars and leaving people homeless. Irma, the jealous one decided to outdo herself, showoff and settle the score by making her mark on the Caribbean & Florida. It is atmospheric “sibling” rivalry at its best.

Needless to say, we the unwilling participants, the people who live in these areas, who have family in these areas, are having to figure out a “new normal.” Even those who have survivor’s guilt. Let’s just be plain my city (Houston) is experiencing shock and trauma. We still have roads that are flooded, homes that are being gutted, and people still living in shelters.

The word “church” makes my skin crawl and I want to squeal in terror when I hear it!  You can imagine that picture right?  Ever since I gave my heart to the Lord in the late ’80’s.  I have been progressively growing in my relationship with Him.   There is no doubt I love him and he unconditionally loves me.  His passion and his heart for humanity are unrelenting.Yet, sadly the church as I have known it and in my own experience has failed me and maybe you too.

Unfortunately even in well meaning churches there are symptoms of spiritual abuse.  But God in his patient and persevering nature led me to meet Pastor’s Arthur and Debra Lee, then Pastor’s of Freedom Tabernacle.

I started writing this post yesterday but when I was adding a link I clicked “cancel” and everything just went away, not to be recaptured again. Unless, it was written again. The irony of it all is that sometimes God has to rewrite our story for us. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Right now this truth doesn’t sit all that well with me. It seems He has authored a season of relational disconnect for me. My perspective only, but dare I say perspective is everything. How one sees a particular situation can color it completely different than it truly is.

I cried all day yesterday, cancelled my church membership, and yelled at my cats for pooping outside the litter box. They sense my anger, fear, anxiety and stress. My fur babies are forgiving so all will be well again, but am I so forgiving with myself? You see, on May 25, 2014 my world as I knew it would be catapulted into a “new normal.”