Would you believe me if I told you that I struggle with self worth and self love, and that I wish I cared about myself a fraction of what I feel for my children and family?
Would you believe me if I told you that I still clearly remember my mother telling me that she wished I was never born? That some days those words still ring in my ears louder than any words of affirmation and drown out any of my accomplishments?
Would you believe me if I told you she locked me out of the house when she was upset with me, and my younger sister stood on the other side of the door, trying to unlock the door and let me back in? And that I still remember my sister looking through the plexiglass window from inside, her innocent face riddled with sadness and confusion, and we were both crying because we didn't understand what was happening.
Would you believe me if I told you I grew up and married a man who was abusive and full of hate?
Would you believe me if I told you he took my crutches away from me when I was injured and trying to get from my living room to the bathroom? And that he thought it was funny? And that I still remember exactly the way his laugh sounded as I leaned against the pale yellow walls of the hallway and my body shook with grief and rage? And that I had to crawl the rest of the way to the bathroom?
Would you believe me if I told you he said to me: "Why don't you just fuck off and die?!?!" as we were on a road trip to visit his family? And that the flickering street light towering over the entrance ramp and the faded white lines of the freeway were the only witnesses?
Would you believe me if I told you that these memories will never disappear, that they have only faded and blurred a little over the years? That my story is not unusual? That women suffer in silence because they are too afraid, embarrassed, or confused by what happened to them to be able to share their experience?
Would you believe me if I told you this is the hardest thing I have ever had to write, but I want to share it because I believe in the power of truth?
This is my truth.
Believe women.
Losing it
Friday, September 28, 2018
Sunday, August 26, 2018
The one where I make some lists and admit some stuff
My life right now is a shit show. I am not dealing very well
with the shit show, so I need to do something about it. To make me feel better,
less crazy, more human. In the past, I have tried everything and anything when
my life feels like it is being torn apart, little by little, like some cosmic
being is plucking petals from a daisy or sunflower or whatever. Even though I cannot
see through the swirling shit all around me, age and hard lessons have taught
me that temporary relief provided by external sources does not help.
A list of crap I have tried that does not work:
- Try not to feel any feelings
- Overeating
- Purging
- Avoiding feelings at all costs
- Purging without overeating
- Drinking lots of alcohol
- Starving myself
- Exercising way too much
- Overspending
- Avoiding everything and everyone (including my kids, no mom of the year award for me)
- Self harm (see arm and legs)
A list of crap that does work:
- I have no clue
- But I working on it in therapy
During my first semester in college, six years ago, I was
given an assignment in a course titled “The Reflective Woman”. My classmates
and I were to describe our learning style in a succinct three page paper. I
remember laughing when I saw the description of the assignment, because I can
easily describe my style of learning in less than three pages. I can describe
it in a mere three words: “the hard way”. I have been this way since I can
remember. Maybe I am now beginning the work that was outlined in the course, to
reflect on myself as an individual, and also on women’s experiences throughout
the world. Maybe I will just focus on myself for the time being, and that’s
okay.
Anyway, the moral of this blog post is that I am going to try writing all the crap down that is constantly flying around in my head. To see if it helps me feel a little less weird or crazy. I might publish some stuff on the blog and I might not. I just need to get it out of my system.
P.S. It's really hard to admit that I ignored my kids. I love them with every single cell of my body but I have not always been present and that is hard to admit.
P.S.S. Now I am having feelings and my eyes are almost leaking so I am going to post something funny.
That's me, the birthday girl, surrounded by my friends.
Hard lesson: Don't perm your bangs. Ever. Especially if you have a wicked widows peak and a forehead that goes on for days.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The Gospel for Women who are Recovering from Abuse
This gospel was written for a Theology class at St. Catherine University. This post is meant to encourage and honor women who are recovering from abuse, and it was written with sincerity and honesty. If I can help one woman start to believe the truth about herself, it will make my heart happy.
The poem at the end of the gospel was also written by me about my healing process.
The
Gospel for Women who are Recovering from Abuse
Shari Seifert
For
women who are undergoing the process of recovering from abuse, I would like to
share how the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ may help you find hope
and peace in your own life. While hearing the good news, I hope you will
consider these truths; that a God exists who loves and values you, who is
deeply hurt by the wrongdoings you have suffered, and who can help you heal
from the hurt and pain you have endured. In the following pages, I will share
what I have learned during my recovery from abuse. I will dismantle the lies
forced upon us by those who misuse their power, and I will share the truth
depicted through biblical scripture. Whether
your abuse has occurred in the distant past, or so recently that it is hard to
imagine a different life filled with hope and joy, I believe the following
gospel can help you.
Jesus
of Galilee was born more than two thousand years ago, into incredibly humble circumstances.
His human nature allowed him to participate in the realities of human life
while teaching and showing his fellow men and women how to live a just life. Throughout
his ministry, he taught, healed, and enjoyed fellowship with the sick, poor,
and outcasts of society. Like the
prophets before him, he sought to bring about newness and hope to all those who
were suffering under a longstanding tradition of structural violence and
control. As the divine son of God, His
death and resurrection atoned for the sins of humankind and provided us salvation
from eternal death caused by sin.
Jesus
witnessed the sins of violence, abuse and oppression of his fellow humans. He
fought against injustice and the oppression of marginalized, powerless people. Although
the son of God proclaimed victory over death and sin, it still inhabits our
human world in many different forms. Across
the globe, harmful gender roles and stereotypes exist that leave women
vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and oppression.
Those
who choose to abuse and oppress us have filled our hearts and minds with lies.
They want us to believe that we are worthless, incapable, ignorant, and expendable.
They would have us think that somehow the abuse is our fault, that we have done
something to warrant our suffering. We
are told that we are helpless, that no one cares to help us, and that we are
too broken to heal. Our abusers want us to believe that we are inept and
worthless. These messages are spoken and portrayed repeatedly, so many times, that
we firmly believe them. While the false messages may be fixed in our minds and
hearts, the messages of the gospel tell a different story.
1)
Jesus was born into humble circumstances
Joseph also went from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he
was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with
Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were
there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to their
firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were
shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid;
for see- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This
will be a sign for you; you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and
lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (continues with Luke 2:15 through Luke 2:20).
Jesus
was born into a world filled with injustice. His birth was the beginning of the
fulfillment of a prophecy; an era of newness that his fellow marginalized
people could hardly imagine but had hoped and prayed for was dawning. With the
birth of the Messiah, the longstanding traditions of oppression and
exploitation of God’s people were about to expire. The earthly kings and rulers
would no longer be in power, for the Son of God would be bringing about justice
and teaching about the kingdom of God. Not only did Jesus see the damage of sin
against the people of Galilee, but he experienced it himself. Jesus understands what it means to be cast on
the sidelines, pushed to the side; a member of the marginalized group of
society.
2)
Jesus values women
Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the
house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very
costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when
the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? For this
ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the
poor.” But Jesus aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the
woman? She has performed a good service
for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have
me. By pouring this ointment on my body
she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is
proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of
her.” Matthew 26:6-13
Soon afterwards he went on through
cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of
God. The twelve with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil
spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had
gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many
others, who provided for them out of their resources.” Luke 8:1-3
So he came to a Samaritan city called
Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s
well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well.
It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink… (continues with John 4:8 through John 4:39).
Jesus
valued women. He kept company with women, sat down and enjoyed meals with
women, and he healed women. He didn’t just preach to women as a group, he took
time to speak with and teach individual women.
He also chose to keep company with women who were labeled impure and
outcasts. Jesus values all women, even (and especially) broken, hurting, women
in need of healing. He values you and
your unique qualities and gifts. You are
worthy, loved, and cherished by him.
3)
Jesus stands up for the oppressed
When he entered into Jerusalem, the
whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This
is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and
buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and
the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house
shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”
Matthew 21:10-13
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:17
Jesus
focused his mission on the poor, sick, and the abused. He worked for the marginalized population to
tear down the dominant system that reinforced slavery, repression, and
injustice. Like the prophets Moses and Elijah, he fought to rectify and restore
the imbalance of power and promote social justice in his time. He fearlessly
announced this mission aloud, (during his Sermon on the Mount) as well as acting
in ways that broke down social barriers and disrupted the royal consciousness.
Although Jesus witnessed violence, and he suffered a violent death, he did not
use violence to bring about justice. He is still a champion for righteousness
today. Jesus wants you to know that he is here, fighting for those who have
experienced the misuse of power and fallen victim to violence and abuse. You
are not alone or powerless; Jesus is on your side.
4)
Jesus heals
Then suddenly a woman who had been
suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the
fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I
will be made well. Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter;
your faith has made you well. And instantly the woman became well.” Matthew
9:20-22
When John heard in prison what the
Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the
one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Jesus answered them, “Go and
tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have
good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Matthew 11:2-6
As they were leaving Jericho, a large
crowd followed him. There were two blind
men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they
shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them
to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of
David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do
for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion,
Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed
him. Matthew 21:29-34
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling
he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus
stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made
clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. Mark 1:40-42
Not
only did Jesus perform numerous healing miracles, but he has also given us a healing
freedom. We have been given freedom from suffering for our sins and
wrongdoings. When we believe that our sins and transgressions are truly
forgotten in the eyes of the Lord, we can begin to heal. We can let go of our own
sins and the sins committed against us. The gift of freedom from judgment,
blame, and fear, essential to recovering from abuse, has been given to us out
of a great love. You deserve to recover and heal. You are never so broken that you cannot recover;
in time, you will heal.
5)
Jesus shows the importance of prayer
When you are praying, do not heap up
empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard
because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what
you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8
In the morning, while it was still
very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35
After Jesus had spoken these words,
he looked up to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so
that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all
people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him…(continues with
John 17:3 through John 17:25).
Jesus
taught his followers how to pray, as well as the importance of prayer. As these
scriptures show, he engaged in public prayer and poured his heart out to God in
prayer repeatedly. Just as Jesus prayed,
so should we. Whether they are beautifully professed in a public setting or
achingly whispered in a moment of broken desperation, our prayers are heard by
God.
6)
Jesus shares our burdens
Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body,
what you will wear. Is not life more
than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they
neither sow nor reap nor gather in to barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a
single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider
the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell
you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if
God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is
thrown in to the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or
“What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things;
and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But
strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. So do not
worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s
trouble is enough for today. Matthew
6:25-34
Come
to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and
humble in heart and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Ask, and it will be given to you;
search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone
who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7
Healing
from abuse can be a long and difficult process, especially when it is so difficult
to trust others. Jesus invites you to lean on him and learn from him. He willingly shares your burdens and your
pain. He reassures you that your future is provided for, and that you will be
taken care of. He is with you throughout each step of your healing process,
encouraging you during your trials and celebrating with you during joyful
moments.
7)
Jesus understands us and our pain
When Jesus saw her weeping and the
Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and
deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, ‘Lord, come
and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John
11:33-36
As he came near and saw the city, he
wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the
things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the
days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and
surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground,
you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone
upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from
God.” Luke 19:41
Jesus
was human. He felt compassion, hurt,
love, joy, and sadness. He grieved over the unrepentance of the people he was
sent to save. He understood the agony of rejection and humiliation. Jesus wept over
the distress of his friends, and he rejoiced in their happiness. Jesus
understands you, and the pain and rejection you feel. He is deeply hurt by the
injustice and suffering you have endured.
8) Jesus invites us to partake in his promise
Then he took a loaf of bread, and
when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my
body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the
same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is
the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and
his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been
determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask
one another which one of them it could be who would do this. A dispute also
arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in
authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the
greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who
serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table for the one who serves?
Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke
22:19-27
During
the Last Supper, Jesus described his sacrificial work that was drawing near,
and he also emphasized the importance of serving others. He pointed out that
his body and blood was given “for you”.
While Jesus was speaking specifically to his disciples, we know the
message was inclusive of all humanity, then and now. We are all invited to partake in the promise
of salvation. He has shed his blood for you. He has given his body for you.
9)
Jesus suffers
He took the twelve aside again and
began to tell them what was going to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going
up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, then they will hand him
over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and
kill him; and after three days he will rise again. Mark 10:33-34
It was nine o’ clock in the morning
when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The
King of the Jews”. And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right
and one of his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads, and
saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save
yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests,
along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He
saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come
down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were
crucified with him also taunted him. Mark 15:25-32
Jesus
suffered great pain, humiliation, and rejection during his crucifixion. He felt
the horrific physical pain, as well as the deep emotional anguish of rejection.
While the suffering of the crucifixion can sometimes be used as a justification
for human suffering and mistreatment, this is not a truthful or helpful
position of the crucifixion. It is
easily refuted when we acknowledge that God sent Jesus to take on the suffering
of humans because he desperately loves us. When we also recognize that Jesus
was a great healer, it is easy to understand that he does not want our lives
filled with pain and sorrow. Just as he
reached out with compassion to cure people’s infirmities during his ministry,
he also wants you to live the best life possible. The message of the crucifixion is that you
are always unconditionally loved, not that you must sustain pain and agony
caused by abuse.
10)
Jesus is victorious
After the Sabbath, as the first day
of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the
tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord,
descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his
clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and came like dead
men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are
looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as
he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his
disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of
you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you. So they
left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold
of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go
and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10
With
the resurrection of Jesus, the women and men who were mourning the loss of the
Messiah were now astonished and overjoyed with this renewal and new reality. Jesus
overcame the sin and suffering of the world, and rose victorious over death.
The resurrection of Jesus not only gives us hope for the glory of heaven, but
it allows hope for a new life, here and now. The exhaustive fighting, suffering, and
worrying work of your life is a thing of the past. There is nothing more that
you can do, because there is nothing that needs to be done. The grief has
diminished, and now hope resounds. Now, we can experience renewal, healing, and
a different life by simply believing that Jesus has done this great salvific
deed for us.
When
we invite Jesus into our lives, he begins to work with us and heal us. We learn
the truth about ourselves, and we begin to show ourselves the love,
forgiveness, and acceptance that Jesus bestowed on us. We put these practices
into action in our lives. We strive to become better women; more like Jesus. We
live out his teachings and messages and pass them on to our children, friends,
and others in need. Through the
resurrection of Jesus, we are transformed into new women. You are valued,
worthy, and loved by Jesus. You have been chosen by him. You can recover and
heal. You can rise above the suffering and pain of your past. You can live a
new life, filled with hope and joy.
when the clouds roll in
she looks up to the
heavens
and she waits
she wishes
she prays
she begs
for just one drop of pure
happiness;
a fragment of
overwhelming joy,
a tiny sliver of
glimmering hope;
for a love so great
it would conquer her pain
wash away her shame
and give her something,
anything,
to cling to
until the next rain
when it rains
she sets her umbrella
down
on the parched, forsaken
ground
she stretches out her
trembling, thirsty hands
her head bowed
and then she lets go
she dances
she twirls
she leaps
because she knows
the promise of a new life
is free
if she believes
after the rain
she sinks down onto the
damp ground
and she smiles
she laughs
she sings
in thanksgiving
for peace like a river
for the life imparting
rain
for a second chance
to laugh
to dance
and linger
in the miracle of the
rain
Shari Seifert 2012
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