Guest Post: Still

[image error]by N. Christensen

We still love you, they said.

Even though your countenance is dark

We’re so sad for you.

Was it pride or sin or did you choose offense?

But we can still be friends.

You’ve turned your back on your covenants

You’ve turned your back on God

You’ve turned your back on this family

You’ve betrayed your ancestors

But we can coexist.

We’ll respect you if you respect our beliefs

Just sit there in silence

Don’t speak up

Your experiences don’t belong to you

It’s our church, you can’t talk about it.

Don’t be bitter

Don’t talk about why

You’re trying to destroy faith

You’ve left the church, now why can’t you leave it alone?

But we can agree to disagree.

Here, this talk made us think of you

Let us bear our testimony

Don’t you dare testify in turn.

We know better than you

You unruly, rebellious child.

You used to be so strong

We used to admire you

We used to trust you

You were never really one of us

What happened to you?

We won’t listen to your lies.

Cover your wounds, the blood makes us uncomfortable.

We’re as secure in our salvation as we are in your unworthiness

But we still love you.

N. Christensen is a teacher of some things, a student of others, and a master of little.