Summary
In this post, Lanie shares her personal journey as a Christian navigating life with multiple disabilities. She reflects on her upbringing in a nondenominational Christian family and the spiritual foundations that shaped her faith. Lanie recounts a significant faith-affirming experience during her teenage years and discusses her eight-year involvement with the Mormon church during a vulnerable period in her life. After leaving that community, she explores her experiences in seeking new faith connections and the challenges she has faced. Despite ongoing questions about her beliefs and the difficulties of reading scripture, Lanie remains committed to her identity as a Christian. She offers insights for pastors and fellow Christians on how to support individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of compassion, accessibility, and community.
My identity as a Christian has always been central to my life. Lately, I’ve been getting more active on Mastodon, the social network I post to most often. As I’ve started commenting on other people’s posts, I’ve found myself in situations where I need to defend my faith and beliefs, which is challenging for me.
Growing Up
Spiritual Foundations
I was raised in a nondenominational Christian family. While we didn’t read the Bible regularly at home, I had a Braille version of the King James Bible. When my sisters and I were young, my mom took us to a local church for Sunday school every week. I was always very spiritual and loved learning about Christ, trying to follow Him to the best of my ability.
A Faith-Affirming Experience with God
When I was sixteen, I started experiencing severe pain in my right eye, the only eye I had some vision in, since I lost my left eye to retinal detachment when I was two. This experience led to a powerful affirmation of my faith and God’s presence in my life.
Eight Years in a Cult
In 2014, I found myself in a particularly vulnerable situation. I was struggling with untreated chronic pain from fibromyalgia, and my Medicaid had been cut off. During this challenging time, Mormon missionaries knocked on my door, leading to an eight-year involvement with the church.
Experiences since leaving Mormonism
After leaving the Mormon church, my mom and I decided to visit a Baptist church. Initially, things went well, but we encountered new challenges that left us questioning our faith and feeling distant from the supportive community we sought.
I Still Have Questions, but I know I’m a Christian
Despite my journey, I still grapple with many questions. I wonder which denomination aligns best with my beliefs, and I often find reading the Bible challenging. Yet, amid these struggles, I hold firmly to my identity as a Christian and my belief in God’s love for me.
To Pastors and Other Christians
I remain hopeful that I will find a Christian community that embraces me and others like me. To pastors and fellow Christians, I encourage you to be mindful of those who might need extra support on their faith journeys.
- Facilitate gatherings for disabled members to support each other in their faith journeys.
- Provide accessible resources such as Braille, large print, or electronic versions of materials.
- Be compassionate toward those with mental health challenges and avoid labeling anxiety as a sin.
- Embrace and respect those who identify as aromantic or asexual, treating them with kindness and understanding.
- Help individuals see how biblical teachings are relevant to their lives, recognizing that some may find it challenging to relate to scripture.
- Communicate honestly with those seeking assistance, ensuring transparency about what help can be offered.
For more insights on my journey, visit my blog or learn more about my vision for supporting individuals with disabilities here.
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