Happy New Year y'all! Hope you guys have a year that's above and beyond! Or at least a step up! I know I could use one!

The year began on a mixed note. I met my mom for Sunday services like I usually do. I was trying my hardest not to fall asleep in the sanctuary when the preacher said a doozy of an anecdote! To sum it up, he said he was feeling depressed, couldn't figure out why, "God" told him it was due to "sinful thoughts" (whatever that entails) after which he prayed through, repented and all was well in his mental world. He then encouraged the congregation to repent as well.

I know this man. He knows me. More importantly, he knows of my mental illness. It's insulting and demeaning to know that that man considers depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. to be a result of character flaws and if it becomes recurring, as mental illness is wont to do... well, tale as old as time. Us mentally ill folks get to be considered "defectives" who shouldn't be allowed to touch the fine china lest we break it and spoil the good time of polite company. We don't need to be heard. We don't need to be listened to. We just need to repent.

In the interest of over ten years of friendship, I'm going to give him a chance to walk all of that back next time we meet one on one. I really hope he sees his statement with new eyes.