Bent but not broken

I had never heard the term "spiritual abuse " until just over a year ago. When I first heard about it, to me it almost sounded overly dramatic but as I have researched it and also dealing with my own experiences, I realize it really is abuse. Last night, I was chatting with an online friend who is getting out of an abusive marriage. I started explaining to her a little bit of my experience with our former church and it hit me how many parallels there are in an abusive relationship and a spiritually abusive church. The manipulation, use of fear and guilt, the gaslighting ,the lies and isolation are all there. It just manifests itself in different ways. My friend was asking how she could have let this go on so long when she knew she was being used and manipulated .I told her it's amazing the tricks your mind plays on you when you're in an unhealthy situation and the lengths you will go to in your head to justify all the bullshit.  My friend said "You get it. You re...

My oldest son graduated from high school 3 days ago. Looking back at the last 18 years, it's been one hell of a rollercoaster ride ,with so many twists and turns and ups and downs. Our lives 18 years ago are unrecognizable compared to where we are now .My son didn't have the easiest time during his high school years and there were times when I questioned whether we would ever see this day. I'm so proud of him for not letting his experiences completely break him. Most people don't have any idea about what he has been through. Only a few people know even a fraction of it. Having to put on a brave face and push the pain deep down inside has taught him that he is stronger than he thinks and he can get through whatever comes his way. Actually that's something we've all learned but I have really noticed a change in him particularly in the past 2 years. There has definitely been some growth and maturing that has taken place and I am looking forward to seeing where life...