CCEF: Going There
***This post has been updated/edited. I accidentally posted it before completion.
You may, or may not, have noticed that I added a little spot on my sidebar of my favorite resources for advocating and caring for the seriously mentally ill. It would seem like a no brainer for me, a Christian, who is related to a certified Biblical Counselor, attended a Biblical counseling class and has other friends and family members who are Biblical Counselors to add CCEF (Christian Counseling & Education Foundation) to that list.
But I struggled. I thought this was strange, but here it is: I'm the mom of a son with serious mental illness. I'm a little defensive...being honest here...and I've heard all kinds of opinions and advice that are well...not helpful, even hurtful. And the kicker? Many of these comments have come from Christians. Well meaning, I'm sure. I've developed quite the defensive heart and my momma shield comes into play. Big time.
Truth be told, I used to be one of those well meaning Christians. Before my son began his descension into his illness, I had categories in my mind too. But now I'm not the same person. I've seen it firsthand, and my heart is broken for those afflicted like my son.
I've always been a fan of CCEF, but when it came to mental illness, I just couldn't read their material. Probably because I was a little gun shy (no reason due to CCEF). Yet time and experience have helped me to pry open the door to CCEF's newer material...ever...so...slowly. It began with a few things. First of all, we have a loving and gracious pastor who, along with his wife and other pastors, have walked along side of us on this road with our son. They have supported our decisions regarding treatment. They even pioneered a caregiver's caregroup for families in our church. But most importantly now, our pastor meets regularly with my son. They open up scripture together and they talk about what Jesus is saying. Then they pray, they always pray.
Then, two years ago I learned that CCEF hosted a conference in 2011 on "Psychiatric Disorders". I watched the promo below and cried. Cried because I was so moved by their compassion and willingness to embrace this subject with obvious humility. Since that time I've been following CCEF's articles...but until now, I haven't been brave enough to listen to the conference sessions on~line. I plan on listening to them in the coming weeks as I pack my house up for a big move...I'll keep you posted on my progess :O).
You may, or may not, have noticed that I added a little spot on my sidebar of my favorite resources for advocating and caring for the seriously mentally ill. It would seem like a no brainer for me, a Christian, who is related to a certified Biblical Counselor, attended a Biblical counseling class and has other friends and family members who are Biblical Counselors to add CCEF (Christian Counseling & Education Foundation) to that list.
But I struggled. I thought this was strange, but here it is: I'm the mom of a son with serious mental illness. I'm a little defensive...being honest here...and I've heard all kinds of opinions and advice that are well...not helpful, even hurtful. And the kicker? Many of these comments have come from Christians. Well meaning, I'm sure. I've developed quite the defensive heart and my momma shield comes into play. Big time.
Truth be told, I used to be one of those well meaning Christians. Before my son began his descension into his illness, I had categories in my mind too. But now I'm not the same person. I've seen it firsthand, and my heart is broken for those afflicted like my son.
I've always been a fan of CCEF, but when it came to mental illness, I just couldn't read their material. Probably because I was a little gun shy (no reason due to CCEF). Yet time and experience have helped me to pry open the door to CCEF's newer material...ever...so...slowly. It began with a few things. First of all, we have a loving and gracious pastor who, along with his wife and other pastors, have walked along side of us on this road with our son. They have supported our decisions regarding treatment. They even pioneered a caregiver's caregroup for families in our church. But most importantly now, our pastor meets regularly with my son. They open up scripture together and they talk about what Jesus is saying. Then they pray, they always pray.
Then, two years ago I learned that CCEF hosted a conference in 2011 on "Psychiatric Disorders". I watched the promo below and cried. Cried because I was so moved by their compassion and willingness to embrace this subject with obvious humility. Since that time I've been following CCEF's articles...but until now, I haven't been brave enough to listen to the conference sessions on~line. I plan on listening to them in the coming weeks as I pack my house up for a big move...I'll keep you posted on my progess :O).
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