God, Metatron!
When I look back and try to pinpoint WHY I left the Society there is so much there that I often forget things. Your post just brought to mind another: My last shepherding call.
After commending me for being Sister Humble and Sister Always Prepared to Comment, my loving elders proceeded to give me -- I kid you not -- wait -- I'm counting -- I actually saved them because I thought -- nobody would ever believe this! ...
nineteen pages!!!!
(I kid you not!)
of excerpts from various WT and km articles, with the applicable paragraphs kindly marked for my convenience.
The articles?
When Marital Peace is Threatened; subheading: Divided Households highlighted
Is Obedience Always Proper?; subheading: When Obedience Is Proper
True Love is Rewarding; subheadings: True Love is Rewarding in Our Day and True Love and Our Ministry
Becoming an Ordained Minister-God's Way!; subheading: Exerting Oneself in the Ministry
'Finding Refreshment for Your Souls'; subheading: Refreshment From Doing God's Work
Appreciating Christian Gatherings; paragraph 4 highlighted
What Is Your Custom? (re: meeting attendance)
Show Appreciation for God's House; subheading: How Can We Show We Appreciate Meetings?
May Jehovah Credit Good to Your Account; subheadings: Knowledge Makes Us Accountable and Accountable for Our Ministry and Rendering a Fine Account as Families
Be Sure to Put First Things First; subheadings Title Ditto and What Should Come First?
THERE!!! Aren't YOU refreshed and built up????
The parents needed real help from caring, competent elders -
instead they were bombarded with Watchtower rules and technicalities.
Worse, the [younger, newer] elder was so delighted with himself that he had taken the time to look up and print all this wonderful information out for me!
We didn't go over the material right there and then (Thank Jehovah!), but rather the older brother (a new elder to my hall) encouraged me to speak frankly about what they could be doing better to help me.
When I brought up lack of love -- my son, I especially thought, needed some positive interaction -- and the weariness and guilt brought on by the constant push to do more and more despite the real world crashing in, the response was, basically, "it's not OUR job"! If, as elders, we're less than helpful to you, rely on Jehovah in prayer and....
GET YOUR BUTT TO THE MEETINGS so you can partake of Jehovah's Holy Spirit.
(sotto voce: We have enough to do with our own parts and families!!)
I came home, browsed through the articles and shared with another JW friend just how upbuilding my PUT HER THROUGH THE GUILT MILL AGAIN!shepherding call had been.
Yes
Claims of a "spiritual paradise" are wearing thin.
Five months later, I was gone.
And my disassociation letter caught them ALL completely by surprise!!!
outnfree
When the truth is found to be lies
and all the joy within you dies ... -- Darby Slick, Somebody to Love
