Pineridge Blog
Rain!
In Ireland there is a rock known as the “weather rock,” because of its uncanny ability to forecast the weather. The locals say, “If the rock is wet; it is raining. If the rock is dry; it’s going to rain.” That pretty much sums up Irish weather and this spring in Kansas City during the wettest May on record.
Like many of you, we spent Tuesday night in the basement as the violent storms passed. Not just rains, but high winds and tornadoes threatened. We watched the images of homes destroyed in the wake of a tornado that leveled small towns in Kansas just a few miles away.
It was sad to see homes destroyed and lives disrupted in a matter of a few seconds. No doubt the community will rally around. Neighbor will help neighbor. It will take a long time, but they will rebuild.
I was thinking that when someone has suffered such an obvious loss, others respond quickly and generously. However, how many homes are torn apart by things like addictions to chemicals, opioids, or pornography; mental illness; neglect; and abuse often just as devastating, but people suffer in silence. And honestly, most of us wouldn’t know what to do to help them rebuild.
A couple of weeks ago in their continuing series on mental health, the Adult Education Team partnering with Park Hill School District watched and discussed the movie Resilience. It is based on the work of pediatricians and psychologists who have identified ten Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s), which contribute to illnesses, addictions other struggles throughout life.
They have put together a short questionnaire that can be easily found online to help someone identify their ACE’s. What they have been amazed to find is that over two thirds of people have experienced some form of toxic trauma. The purpose is not to lay blame or to excuse poor choices, but in an effort to understand and to begin healing. It changes the emphasis from, “’What is wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’”
Jesus was and is a healer. His healing never began or begins with shaming, “What is wrong with you?” His healing begins with hope in the ever-present healing love of God.