by ISP 46 Replies latest jw friends
Having been a JW, you can now appreciate many of the simple things that others take for granted.
For instance, you can wake up at 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning and not go into a total panic because you're late for the meeting.
You appreciate freedom of choice in literature and music because you were denied such freedom for so long.
You feel blessed every day for life and friends since you know how it was to put everything on hold waiting for "that day".
ISP,
It took me awhile to think of some:) I have been out for so long and deal with only the negative. But this is important and needs to be adressed.
I loved the fact that I would see my crippled mother walk.
I am a very good conversationalist, able to speak to (almost) anyone on (almost) anything:)
I obtained good study skills.
Also the ability of public speaking.
I have a sense in "what others are thinking" in the fact of which way a conversation is heading.(I know there is a word for this can't think of it now)
You can go to an assembly of thousands of people and smile and feel love for ALL those people.
I loved the thought of unity and thousands of voices singing praises to the Lord.
I loved the thought, that I was making a difference and saving lives.
I loved going to Sunday meetings, such a long weekend, without it.
I loved coffee breaks in service, if you were smart you could squeeze in 3 from 9 to 12:)
I loved the nights us sisters gathered at a disabled persons house and had telephone ministry:) Usually turned into a sleepover.
I loved going into the houses of brothers and sisters who couldn't leave their home, but still had the love of God and did as much as they could for him.
I loved reading the stories in the w or a about REAL life experiences, and crying my eyes out at what others had endured.
I loved knowing I was part of an org. that was the only "right" one out there.
I loved having all the answers.
Gee I do go on and on don't I? Thank you for bringing this up it is not often I think of the good:)
wendy
excellent post mommy!
ISP
I tried Christmas with out the tree for the frist time in 44 years, and i would have to say, IT SUCKED!!
This is a good subject. I have to really fight being angry at the organization but I did benefit in some ways from them.
I had always read the Bible, but hadn't ever researched a subject at a time in it like I did with the Trinity when I first began studying.
I learned a lot about different bibles, King James and so forth and learned to appreciate the different versions and their interpetations.
I, like Wendy/Mommy really liked the feeling at the assemblies, I really did feel love for all present.
As has been mentioned, it felt good to be so certain of everything. Being born a man, being raised in the South, being in the Corps, I was already misled into a good bit of false pride, so I am not sure that thinking I was one of a small group who REALLY knew the TRUTH was that good for me, but I enjoyed the feeling. Let me add that having been married for a long time to the sweetest woman in the world, I now realize that men really are made from dirt and that women are a little smarter and a lot sweeter.
I think the thing I liked best was teaching others about what I considered the truth. It was nice to think I could save lives. It was also nice to have it all wrapped up so tidy and nice and know that you yanking brands out of the fire just before the door of the Ark closed. Not being willing to teach 1914 and the chronology was the reason I first stopped going in service.
Like Waiting, I came in after marriage, and I can find nothing positive to say about the agony I put my wife through compromising and refusing to compromise on so many areas. I guess the only good that came out of it is we both appreciate how smooth things are without the religious arguments. If I had only known then what I know now, I would still have a real relationship with my daughter. It is a wonder my wife doesn't hate me. Of course I was urged NOT to compromise at all by some at the Hall. Hmmm. I should erase this but won't. I did say something good. Having crossed the desert I appreciate water.
I keep saying more that winds up being negative and erasing it so I will stop here. I think a lot of us became Witnesses because we were and are idealists. I think a lot of us stopped for the same reason.
Grunt,
I felt much the way you felt at the end of my post too:) Remembering the good things, brought up the bad to me as well. Don't erase though! You felt it when you were typing it, so therefore it is your thoughts. And you know they are welcome here:)
wendy
Hey Grunt,
Having crossed the desert I appreciate water.
What a fine thought. Thank you. I know what you mean. So many of the things we experienced had good/bad connotations.
Like going to the assemblies - the feelings were good, warm, cozy, fuzzy love for strangers, singing all together. I would save for months to go with my kids - then go home to my (ex)husband who was getting even with me for going in the first place, would dread going home. He wasn't physically mean - but lord, he would get even.
Teaching others the Bible. A good thing. But we weren't teaching them the Bible - we were teaching them the WTBTS, using various scriptures - but word for word WTBTS literature. So the good feeling, perhaps, should be remembered for what it was - just a feeling, not the reality of what we were doing.
I did like dressing up though. I wear jeans & t-shirt to work 6 days a week. Dressing up was fun. Now I'm stuck with all those clothes. I think it was Farkel who said that jw's are the only window washers with 5 suits hanging in their closet. True thought.
waiting
Edited by - waiting on 29 January 2001 0:15:24
It's kinda hard to add anything new to this list, but how about this?
Being a JW lead me to Jehovahs-Witness.com
Hey Amicus,
Are you trying to beat me in the funny department. I laughed out loud on that last of yours!
Inside Jokes, Wickedly funny sense of humor, ability not to give a *hit what others think of your way of life......
;)
