We have all been moved deeply by the recent story of Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped at age eleven and held captive for eighteen years. The years of separation from the rest of the world outside the home of her kidnapper will take added years of therapy to deal with.
Her two daughters, who, until now thought she was their big sister, have never been to school and have only known life in a hidden compound. If anything, their pain and confusion will be even more difficult to heal.
None of us are surprised at the immensity of the damage they have incurred and our hearts are broken at the painful journey they are on. Let's not lose sight, though, of a deep truth which blares at us through this story: people need each other!
We are fallen, broken, often-selfish, angry, moody human beings. And we need each other. That's because we can also be kind, considerate, serving, and friendly. We can offer a listening ear or a cryable shoulder. We can learn how to navigate the storms and sail the beautiful seas of life by spending time with others. Therefore, we know...we KNOW that life without such contact and interaction is unhealthy. So we recoil when we hear about people who have been removed from it.
But what if the person is held hostage by their own choice to live inwardly and shut out the world? What if, for reasons of insecurity, lack of trust or simply a bad attitude someone locks their soul into their own little private, secretive compound? We can no longer blame some dastardly culprit. But can we deny that the damage is just as real?
That's why "Messies" need others. And that's why the Church needs people who are willing, even hoping to hang out with messed-up people. It's because sometimes a broken, inward person gets low enough to look for a way out. And the pain is great enough that the woman or man is willing to take a huge risk and poke their head out of the shell.
That can be where miracles begin.
5 comments:
When Travis and I lived in California, we belonged to a wonderful small group. Eight "normal" couples who seemed to have it all together. One by one, each couple started dealing with big things (or should I say skeletons) in our marriages. We realized that we did not have it all together. Our small group hung together and supported each other as we went through the tough stuff. About two years after the start of it, we all looked at one another during the weekly meeting and laughed about the fact that we all had "issues". Oh how we had grown in the pain. Travis and I still look back on that group and see how the Lord used each one of those seven other couples in the healing of our issues.
Thanks, Ranelle, for sharing this part of your story. It's a practical look at how people can gradually open up in a group and watch God heal their lives. The results of those two years are obvious to those of us who know you now.
I think I have been increasing guilty of hiding away from others. Since DJ, many people "friends" haven't been able to deal with the turmoil that my life takes on. However, I have met new folks on the journey too....you reminded me today that we all have to keep reaching out even though our lives are "Messie". It is through my journey that I may be able to help others and find the support I continually need.
I love your wisdom on this, Michelle. Thanks for being so transparent!
What a great comparison, Sam. I'm sure you're right, I just had never thought of it that way -- that there are people who keep themselves locked away just like Jaycee was locked away by her captor. Very thought provoking. Thank you.
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