11/09/2023
****TW: Death, religious trauma, tragic accidents****
While at first glance, this could seem like a post proclaiming radical Christianity, it is far from it.
Like many I grew up in the strongholds of religious fear and conditioning, but it was rather confusing because there was one person that made it easy for wrap my head around the beauty he was able to see within something that had shown me so much hypocrisy in my life.
The last time that I spoke to my father was 14 years ago today. I am so lucky I am a rule breaker or I wouldn’t have had my phone in the stadium during our pep rally. I’m so glad I answered, but sad that I told him that night and we would have to try again when I wasn’t so busy with work. I was 15.
I wonder if something would have changed if I had been more available to him that night, or if there is anything I can do to keep the same thing from happening to someone else. I can be a victim of blaming myself from time to time, but that doesn’t help me heal. I’m learning, slowly, gently.
Isaiah 40:31 is my father’s favorite bible verse. I have it tattooed on my right shoulder blade. I have it to remember him. I remember my life before his body left this earth.
It’s wild to think that at 30 years old I’ve lived almost half of my life without my father and soon I’ll have lived more life without than I knew with him.
I am no longer Christian, but like many things I don’t practice I respect the intention and message that can be found in scripture.
To me this verse says:
“Believe in yourself, but always be open, and you’ll prevail and have the means to do so.”
Christians have a really easy time telling you to set your sights on God, but don’t see their opportunity to show you something bigger by action vs demand.
When I was outed by the youth pastor in my church, it was my bible thumping father who looked my household in the face and told them enough was enough. He then turned to me and said “you know who you are, and you know God loves you regardless of what that means”.
Do yourself a favor and believe in yourself and advocate so fiercely that everyone else is inspired to do the same!
Thank you daddy❤️