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ACES or Casseroles?
Pastor Jim Kilby • December 2, 2022
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35
Dear Friends,
I attended a large gathering of mental health professionals last week and heard quite a few remarkable presentations. The one that burned in my mind the most was an outpatient mental health professional with a doctorate and tons of experience in marriage and family counseling. She presented us with a list of “ACES” which she explained were “adverse childhood experiences”. Her list of adverse experiences was just as you might expect: Physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, a family member who is depressed or diagnosed with other mental illnesses, a family member who is addicted to alcohol or other substances or having a family member who is in prison. The one surprising omission for me was the death of a parent. They weren’t included on the list. When I asked why, the speaker remarked, “When anything on my list happens, nobody brings you a casserole.”
Although I was a little stunned by the speaker’s blunt response, I immediately knew she was right. The things that torment a child almost always happen in our homes, away from the light of day. They also happen away from the light of the true Gospel. Once the light shines in, healing can begin to take place. And when the followers of Jesus remember we are not judges, but rather bearers of His Light, even the most wounded spirit can see hope! As we celebrate 25 years in ministry at Harvest Youth Ministries, I’m grateful to God for His Truth. Although I saw virtually all of those ACES in my home as a young man, God used a couple of His genuine followers to show me the way of Truth and Light. Once the Great Healer did His work in me, He sent me out with that same Light. And not one young person we’ve worked with in these 25 years hasn’t been just as wounded from a lack of genuine love and care. Thank you for the part you plan in helping us carry His Love into dark places. Even if it simply takes the shape of a casserole on someone’s worst day, or a gentle word when needed.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jim Kilby
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Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is an outreach aimed at young people; not a youth group. HYM is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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