MK forum

I came across this site recently and could relate to so much shared on it. Today's post hit close to home- wondering if this is where some of the Panama abusers learned their "stuff" from.

Check it out- http://www.recoveringgrace.org

Wow, yes, Panama MK. Bill Gothard was The Great Prophet back in our day, when we were young newlyweds just starting our family. We attended one of the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts seminars in Chicago. Bill Gothard's principles were incorporated in NTM's teachings on how to train children and raise a family.

One of the mantras I remember all too well was "Your must break their will, but not their spirit". This led many of us dumb sheep to beat the living tar out of our toddlers. After all, wasn't the first word they learned "NO"? So that must prove they had these wills of steel and if we didn't bend them right away, they were going to show up our failed parenting skills for years to come.

Horrible, horrible memories this is bringing up for me. Absolutely atrocious things we did to children. We were so misled and it grieves me deeply, just thinking about it.

I am grateful to see this website called Recovering Grace. Another example of how the internet is being used as a tool to gather together the wounded children, to form a circle of sharing and healing.

There is empowerment in knowing you are not alone. MKs who were abused in NTM are not alone. Children who were dragged through hell because of Bill Gothard are not alone.

The magnitude of this pain staggers me. But I do pray that the realization that others understand our suffering can help us along on our journey toward restoration and wholeness.

Well said, Bemused.

Trying to apply that last verse.

Through my tears.

Beloved children, forgive us. We were so wrong.

Father, forgive us. For taking parenting advice from Bill Gothard, instead of looking to You as a role model for parenting: unconditional love, never-ending grace, indefatigable compassion.

And forgiveness already pre-applied.

May you find the peace
That comes eventually
When you can forgive yourself
And from your burden be truly free

If what was done
Was done for you knew no other way
Then not forgiving oneself
Is too high a price to pay

For those who did wrong
But knew what they did was sin
There must be confession
Before forgiveness can begin

Those of us sinned against
Can forgive at will
When time is served
For deeds so evil

Never forgive and forget
For history will then repeat
Forgive yes, that is kind
But never again be a doormat for dirty feet

But while you wait and wait
To maybe forgive anothers erring way
Forgive yourself your heavy burden
So in peace you can spend each day

Today's post on the recovering grace site is really good. some similarities between NTM and Gothard.