Church Fables

A friend told me this story about the lack of empathy that she got from her church members. She eventually left the church, though for other reasons.

According to her, she lost her dad and her sister in quick succession. After a few months of not hearing from church “brethren”, the few that eventually spoke with her told her that the family had suffered such challenges because she hadn’t been faithful with her tithes and seeds. I am not sure how they arrived at the conclusion because I don’t believe they had records.

When I was going through a particular challenge, some well-meaning people kept telling me that my seed would speak for me. I believed it for a while until God helped me with a brain reset. I think that is what is at the root of some of the insensitive comments that come from church folk. There is the general notion that if you are dealing with a challenge, it is always because you have done something wrong.

As I listened to Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo saying that Jesus’ disciples were in the right place YET the storm came, my brain reset became 100% complete. Lol.

I also remember a time I had to go with other teachers from the Children’s church to visit a family that lost their son. My jaw dropped as one of the teachers told the parents that they had to suck it up and just accept the fact that their son was dead. I felt like making her become dumb. The boy’s father just looked at us without saying anything. I kept praying that the man’s faith was not damaged by the insensitive words from the “comforter”.