Years ago, my coworkers and I were assigned a temporary boss. We quickly discovered that the man’s approach to staff supervision was that of a punitive pirate captain toward his lazy, ne’er-do-well deck hands. We survived by keeping our heads down, swabbing the decks, and praying daily for deliverance. We were trapped with Captain Blood in a dead calm; every day had a “walk-the-plank” feel. To make matters worse, we’d no idea how long our “lost at sea” season would last.
When the misery finally ended, I suggested we throw ourselves a party to celebrate our freedom. “Kaye!” remonstrated a coworker, “that’s so mean!”
That remark was a harpoon to my soul. As a Southern Christian female minister, I was never to be mean; Shame on me.
Needless to say, there was no party. Looking back on that experience with more seasoned eyes, though, brought me some awarenesses I’d like to share.
- Celebrating freedom from tyranny is not mean; it’s healthy soul care. Moses and Miriam threw a song and dance party on the far side of the Red Sea (aka Sea of Reeds);
- Tyranny is not to be minimized, excused, or ignored. Where there is tyranny, there is hurt: be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or all of the above. The Psalms are filled with poetry decrying repression.
- We deserve better! We are God’s beloved, God’s children. No one has the right to abuse our souls or our bodies.
- We can resist disempowering lies: Telling women we must “only see the best in others,” “be nice,” or “know our place,” deprives us of the full palette of our emotions. We are allowed to be frustrated, irritable, and down-right mad. It’s how we express those emotions that matters.
A couple of years after surviving the Punitive Pirate Captain, I had to introduce him at a public function. I managed to do so without lying or degrading him in public (because THAT would have been mean). He even thanked me for my words.
We can’t change how some people choose to use/abuse their power. We can know our worth, name tyranny when we see it, and live the abundant life God hopes for us.
I don’t think it’s too late; I believe I’ll throw myself a party!
What are your thoughts on surviving tyranny? On self-care? Share your thoughts at contact@aspaciousplace.com.
