15 Years Old - Guest Author Mitchell Wesley

In the November Change of Path Group one of the members had been inspired by the experience a youth in the UK was going through.  To provide the background on this post here is the link to The Sun UK post about the story. 
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13163853/jehovahs-witness-15-not-allowed-die-judge/

They want you to die but the judge wants you to live...
Exodus says don't eat blood but they don't give...
you're lying in the hospital bed..
God got you heaven forbid..
My God wants me to live..
In this century we don't blood sacrifice give...
They say the blood's dirty..
Still telling you this paradise you still may not be worthy..
So you're being judged twice...
There's no if you do right now you'll get everlasting life..
Nothing you ever do is enough..
Saying good Job it's just a bluff...
Put in some more hours if you're bed ridden...
There better be a letter written..
A phone call or visit...
Every minute counts there's no limit, don't miss it..
COVID hit and Zoom is their savior..
Still dress up and sit in your living room stay on your best behavior..
They're still in control..
In your house or at the Kingdom Hall, they still run the show...
Does she really have the right info..
Does she have a sound mind at 15 years old?
It doesn't matter...
The Elders come with any info they can gather..
For you I hope you choose life and realize that yours matters.

By Mitchell Wesley Nov 2020

For those who have emerged from the Jehovah’s Witnesses, many of us recover from a lot, but the last piece that can be so triggering to so many of us, are the rules regarding blood.  This has affected me as well in many ways.  My beloved former mother-in-law died a few years of a treatable blood disorder.  I was devastated.  I also know that she was informed by her doctors and her son who is a capable nurse. 
I have struggled with my own stance on blood even as an independent and educated woman.  This doctrine was driven home so effectively.  I have had many surgeries and some with greater risk then others.  At those times I have had to speak to my adult daughter and present spouse about my wishes to use all other alternatives to blood first, but that I wanted to live so would accept blood.  For so many this is a “no brainer”, but so many of us struggle. 
Will this teen despise the courts for forcing blood on her? Probably.  Will she choose not to in the future when she is an adult?  Maybe.  At least at that time she will be alive to choose. 
This is a big piece of our recovery as former Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The “defiant” act of giving blood can be the first step for some.  For others it may be those difficult discussions with loved ones before surgery.  It is a piece that needs to be addressed to fully step into ourselves.
Libby Pease

If you want to become a guest author please contact me. 226-838-9772