A sea change

So the last two or three posts have been delightful and humorous. I loved some of my lead-footed cracks at poor Bryce, a guy who once got his entire foot off the ground at the same time during a jump...only to have the height give him a nose bleed.

But other events are circling the drain. I am getting really, really sick of being attacked from so many sides.

For years, despite the reputation some people think I have, been very controlled and reserved. I have let people lie to me. I have let them lie about me. The one that bothers me the most is the blatantly false rumor that was spread that I left the church for a while.

The sheer laziness of not bothering to even ask me, my brothers, or my Dad, any of which could have told the people who spread that slander, where I was says an awful lot to me about the character of the people who are so intent on falsely destroying the reputation of another that they cannot even bother to make even the slightest effort to discover the truth of their malicious accusation.

Just to be clear...I have NEVER in my life not been a member of Gods church.

But I allowed people to spread that falsehood.

I have let people complain about things I have done even when there was no accuracy to the complaint or legitimacy to it. I have let people complain about things I have done that were right and the complaint wrong.

I have let people harangue me, accuse me of various things, spread rumors about me. I have let people make outlandish claims in fashions I have found rude at best, extremely insulting in the middle and you do not even know how I think the worst outcome was.

I have sat in too many assemblies where the Inspired Word of God has been controverted, twisted, and spoken falsely without speaking up.

I have allowed my father and brothers to be verbally assaulted while deciding they were big boys and could fend for themselves.

I have heard my friends similarly lambasted and elected to let them fight their own battles.

I have worked myself into a bleeding, sweating, exhausted mess while co-workers slacked their way through the day, doing half the work and working half the time that I was while getting paid for the same amount of time and I have said nothing.

I am tired. Tired of being yelled at, lied to and about, sitting silently while people twist and manipulate and put forth falsehoods. I have been verbally and physically abused. I have had my eardrums blistered, my feelings badly hurt.

And I have suffered in silence and reserve.

Congratulations, people. That is done.

If you lie to me, to my face, expect a verbal tongue lashing.

If you lie about me behind my back, I will come looking for you and again...expect to be on the wrong end of a very, very caustic tongue letting you know in no uncertain terms the error of your ways.

If you twist the Word of God, I will not sit silent but will confront you on it immediately, whenever and wherever this happens.

If you attack my family or friends, you will very quickly understand how stupid a move that was because I will not be standing for it.

I will not be making exceptions if the people doing these things are complete strangers. I will not be making exceptions if the people doing these things are new friends. I will not be making exceptions if the people doing these things are long-time friends. I will not be making exceptions if the people are just casual acquaintances.

I am sick of being attacked and having the people and things I love attacked and I am done standing for it. I am coming back at people and coming back strong.

For those of you who think I am loud, opinionated, brash, and borderline arrogant...you ain't seen nothing yet.

For those of you who think I am quiet, relaxed, and easy-going...get ready for a shock.

Here comes the guy who emphasizes the "rebuke" portion of things instead of the one who heretofore has striven to emphasize the "a gentle answer turns away wrath" and "time heals lots of things" portions.

Well done, people. You have finally pushed me over the edge. Thank you. (and yes, that thanks was sarcastic. Extremely so.)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andrew,
I'm not sure what's going on in your life, we've all kind of lost touch with the details of our lives. It's amazing how close we were, but time and distance does a lot to mess that up.
I don't know specifics of what's going on in your life. I will pray for you. It sounds as if you've been hurt in a deep way. I'm sorry to hear this. I do hope that you'll have a forgiving spirit, it's the only way we are set free.

I hope to be in Oregon sometime this winter, so hopefully we'll get to visit face-to-face then.

Take care,
Billy

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you've been treated poorly Andrew. But I hope you will consider Christ in His afflictions, and His manner of response to others.

We do have a responsibility to stand up for what's right, and to defend those who do right. Shame on us if we should shrink away when the world is constantly attacking the Church. Even worse if those in the Church are doing the attacking. But also consider what God says in James 1:19-20---"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

I'm praying for you, and I hope you're praying for me.

Anonymous said...

Drew, we are praying for you! I am sorry to hear about how hurt you are by all this, I know it's not an easy thing. It's been hard on Phillip and I as well. I want you to know that I admire you and how you strive to stand up for what is right, especially when it comes to Christianity. I see how much you care about others! I see it in the way you are with your family and how you look out for them. Drew, don't give up on things ok. Just keep everything in prayer and God will work everything out according to His will. We love you and want you to know we are praying for you. Please keep us in prayer as well. I know it's been really hard on Phillip to see things going on like this and knowing how it is hurting those closest to him.

On a happier note, we are excited about Poker this Saturday, it sounds like we are going to have a good amount of people showing up! We are looking forward to seeing ya, and hey, you can come early if you want and hang out. I know Phillip was thinking about trying to get with you and play Warhammer or getting together to just hang out. Take care and remember to keep praying and trusting God! Love ya bro!

Tracy

Riot Kitty said...

Well, I already have a big mouth, so I'm not sure I have any useful advice here :)

I'm very protective of my friends and family - verbal tongue-lashings to all who cross the momma bear!