“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.”
Brene Brown
Recently the familiar buzz of my phone yielded a text. “You’re writing is different. Stronger. Intentional. Larger Voice. It’s so good.”
January did not unfold the way I had anticipated. While waiting for my husband to que up an episode of “Justified” on the TV I sat on the couch curled under a blanket scrolling twitter when I saw the story of Andy Savage. My heart began beating faster and I felt a bit shaken. Reading Jules’, his victim, story about the night he raped her flooded me with feelings of anger, sadness, and grief. Her story contained familiar elements of my own story of rape and I felt compelled to respond and let her know she wasn’t alone. The next morning the live stream of Andy speaking to his church and the subsequent applause by his congregation landed hard in my gut and I found myself typing out what I wanted to say to him, and to his church leadership. My words came easily and I posted an open letter on my blog.
That same week I received news that my testimony is needed in a case involving sexual abuse of a minor. And, I had the opportunity to sit with the executive pastor at my own church to discuss #SilenceIsNotSpiritual and what our church policies and practices are around sexual harassment, gender equality and sexual abuse reporting.
If all of this had happened two years ago it would have felt pretty typical. I was leading an organization at that time where the bulk of my work centered on educating the church and helping victims of sexual abuse. The work was deeply personal and as my time there came to a close I was faced with my own failures, and the loss of relationships that had once defined my place of belonging. The shame was deep.
Shame shrinks and silences us. For me, the shame and loss of belonging were absolute death for my heart. The road to recovering began over a year ago and included our moving back home to Texas. And, there has been a return of so much life and goodness that I really wasn’t aware there was more that still needed life breathed back into it inside of me.
I have a playlist of songs that I titled “Survivor”, filled with songs that helped me over the course of the last year. Tell Your Heart to Beat Again performed by Danny Gokey puts words to what has happened for me over the past several weeks.
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again (excerpt) written by MATTHEW WEST, BERNIE HERMS, RANDY PHILLIPS
Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It’s alright now
Love’s healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
‘Cause your story’s far from over
And your journey’s just begun
Tell your hear to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again
Shame silently seeps into you, laying like cold, wet dew, almost frozen across your heart and soul.
Shame told me I no longer belonged or deserved to speak in the world where I once worked. It left me wondering what now? Where do I belong? What about my story? Will I ever belong again in the world of those fighting for victims of sexual abuse and advocating for change and healing for the church?
The invitations to step back in, to use my voice, to tell my story and bring all of myself have been clear and profoundly kind of God. The song lyrics say, “Step into the light of grace.” Almost as if Jesus Himself stretched out a hand and said to me, “It’s time, trust me, let your heart beat again, I know you’re scared and it would be easier to stay in shame and keep yourself small. But we both know that’s not what I’ve called you to, so come on let’s go.”
Tracy Johnson is a lover of stories and a reluctant dreamer, living by faith that “Hope deferred makes the heart sick but when dreams come true there is a life and joy” (Pro. 13:12). She is the Founder of Red Tent Living. Married for 30 years, she is mother to five kids. After a half century of life, she’s feeling like she may know who she is. She writes about her life and her work here.
“Step into the light of grace” ~ “Say good-bye to where you have been and tell your heart to beat again.” Keep these words close to your heart dear friend.
Thank you Elaine, I will!
Thank you…I have never read the definition of shame..but I needed to…all I can..maybe this can be a starting point
In you letter to Andy (on your blog) you had a great response to the perpetrator’s “What about grace? What about forgiveness?” hypothetical questions. And your response to the criticizing comment was also on point. Yes, the one who raped her should absolutely not use his position of power to control the narrative, and his church should pressure him to hold himself accountable.
Thank you for taking the time to read the letter and for validating my responses, I really appreciate your words.
Thank you for this, and for the letter on your blog. The politicizing of confession may invite worldly forgiveness, but it is surely not, as you say, a full dialogue with Christ over the implications of such an offense. Beautifully penned – Blessings.
Thank you Claudia, grateful for your words and for you taking the time to read both posts. Blessings to you as well.
Thank you for acknowledging the struggle is real, shame is something I only recently began to tackle in my own story. This song is frequently played and I even read the lyrics as part of telling part of my story in a group setting a month or so ago. May you continue to use your voice and your words as may we all. Joan
The struggle is very real. Blessings to you as you continue to explore your own story.
Your words are powerful. Thank you for speaking the language of truth and vulnerability, Tracy.
Thank you for reading and for your kind words Lina.
Thank you, Tracy for your beautiful heart and soul. Your courage in the face of “seeming opposition” is full of grace and truth and God has and will back you. Forever a sister,
Natasha
Thank you Natasha. I am so glad to have your presence here in the Red Tent community.
“For me, the shame and loss of belonging were absolute death for my heart.” Celebrating with you the kindness of the invitation to step back in, and your courage in bringing all of yourself again into this arena. ❤️
Celebrating with you is particularly sweet my friend, we’ve walked this valley together.
Welcome back.❤️
Thanks Beth.
Tracy…what a season! What heartache! What shame you have suffered. It is a new day. I love how you ended: “The invitations to step back in, to use my voice, to tell my story and bring all of myself have been clear and profoundly kind of God. The song lyrics say, “Step into the light of grace.” Almost as if Jesus Himself stretched out a hand and said to me, “It’s time, trust me, let your heart beat again, I know you’re scared and it would be easier to stay in shame and keep yourself small. But we both know that’s not what I’ve called you to, so come on let’s go.” Grateful for this new beginning…
It has been a season like no other. I am grateful for the new beginning too!
“But we both know that’s not what I’ve called you to, so come on let’s go.” YES YES YES! Love.
You have been a believer and encourager of God’s call on my life for well over a decade. There is a sweetness in that, and that here we are together that brings me such joy Lib.
Yes. So much yes. Your voice is welcome. Your story is pertinent and vulnerable. Your passion is for such a time as this. Yes.