Things I Believed That I Don’t Anymore

God is mad at me
God is punishing me
God is disappointed in me
God expects me to be perfect

I have to go to church to be a Christian
I have to obey church rules
I can’t dance, take a sip of wine, wear shorts
I can’t question God

Real Christians sacrifice themselves to serve others
Real Christians have faith to jump out of their wheelchairs
Real Christians tithe, even if they can’t pay their mortgage
Real Christians never say no

If your feelings are not Christ-like, hide them
If you have a conflict with your neighbors, bake them a cake
If you speak the truth that hurts, apologize
If you don’t get along with everyone, something is wrong with you

A woman should never leave her abusive husband
A woman should bow down to men
A woman should be seen and not heard
A woman doesn’t deserve respect

I believed all those things and more
Because I was brainwashed
Because my eyes were closed
Because I believed it was the Gospel truth

But, I don’t anymore
God opened my eyes to the Truth
I no longer walk in darkness
Because the Truth has set me free