|
Always Had Nagging Questions About Grace
I can hardly begin my
story. It started in 1973 when I married at age 19. I
came from a dysfunctional family, and when I married, I
wanted a different life than what I came from. I was
prime for this cult. My husband's family had been
listening to Herbert Armstrong and
GTA for years. At first it seemed to be the answer
to my prayers.
When my husband and I were baptized, I had a lot of
questions but was quashed because (1) I was young and
(2) I was a WOMAN. We tried to befriend people our age,
and make the changes, like giving up jobs because of the
Sabbath.
We were decidedly very poor (we were tithing) but took a
transfer, hoping for better. There was lots of unrest in
that congregation, but I did make some friends and that
was pleasant. My husband lost his job and we went
through some trying times and moved to Indiana. It was
here we raised our daughters.
We then got Mr. Fred Bailey. He was such a control
freak. We were always admonished by him to become
"without wrinkle or spot."
Over the years we attended the Feast at Daytona Beach,
Florida; Dayton, Ohio; Corpus Christi, Texas; Lexington,
Kentucky, and Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. We
attended the Ozarks the year that a minister's daughter
died there because of refusing surgery. And there were
others...
I remember all of them, the men that "were inspired to
teach us God's word and will."
I always had nagging questions about grace. I always
sought a God of Love and Kindness. I needed nurturing
that I never had growing up.
I am afraid my oldest daughter was sexually violated at
SEP. She
will not talk about it, 14 years later. She came home a
stranger after SEP that year and exhibited behavior I
still can not believe. I have so much guilt for what I
put them through. And now we try to live like nothing
ever happened. I feel like I can only blame my self.
By Connie
November 29, 2005
An End to Guilt (Excellent
message that focuses on the unconditional love of God and gives a clear
understanding of grace)
Articles For Those Who Were Emotionally and Spiritually Abused
Back to Stories & Testimonies by
Former Members of WCG and Offshoots
|
|
Home