MK forum

Thinking today of injustice
Making a mountain out of a molehill
Chastising a child for squirming
Mocking any doubters

No, not just mocking, but mocking and then dismissing the doubters
Being fervent only about the fervent
Luke-warm? NO HOPE

Disproportionate responses

Without anyone questioning
When fear controls the group
With outsiders deemed unworthy
Decision-makers cast their vote

Be like us.
Respect us.
We'll evaluate you.

And maybe, we'll see
If you don't get in too much trouble
In a probationary type of way
They pseudo-accept your family
Tentatively give a smile
Wait for your first out-loud prayer

Then, the true watching begins
Is their Bible worn out fine, with passages underlined?
Do they take notes in chapel?
Sing prayerfully to The Lord?
Bring prayer lists to the front?

How are they with men?
Are their skirts a shade too short?
Any gaping buttons? Any slinky shorts?
Do they honor their mom or dad?
Revere the mission lord?
Spend their money thriftily?

It goes on and on
You make it through one set,
Find yourself at another test

If you marry right, it might turn out ok

A Plain girl sits alone in a courthouse, with one lawyer, one non-Plain advocate
The abuser, a neighbor, surrounded by loved ones and church members

All so true, Allbetter. And all so melancholy.

Current observations that make me sad:

The Loyal and the Faithful continue to write enthusiastic e-mails about their many travels to "important meetings" in exotic locales.

The Wayward and the Forgotten Unfaithful can't even scrape together enough money to travel a few states away.

Real Life outside the Protected Cloister is pretty tough. No more special perks from wealthy admirers, that's for sure.

Do you remember when the four personality types hit the mission/Christian world? You were either phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine, or melancholic. As if all of the people could be sorted like a deck of cards.

With two choleric people at the top, that was definitely seen as the godliest. Sanguine too lighthearted, phlegmatic too luke-warm, and melancholic, too teary.

That's what I always think about when I hear the word melancholy!

I've always been an optimist. The first times in dealing with overwhelming anxiety/depression I immediately went on meds. I'm trying not to see that as a first-line response, and now actually going through the emotions, therapy, etc. It feels worse, but truer. Getting a modicum of self-respect in the process, of understanding.

We may not have money, but we can breathe.

Don't let the bastards grind you down.