There’s an outbreak in the church and it’s causing wide-spread illness. To save humanity, we have to do more than shout for a cure.
—
She sits like royalty on the front row with her face beat, her hair pulled and her body snatched, but unlike the usually “fierce” context in which these terms would be used by the “kids,” this time they refer to a series of actions that more often than not transpires when the first lady attempts to question – or leave – her “Man of God.”
READ: Pull Up the Red Carpet that Leads to the Altar
Hiding her shame and scars under a big, gaudy church hat, she questions rather the financial security or high-profile social status of this made-for-TV marriage is worth her hating herself so intensely. She wants to leave, God knows she does, but where will she go? She gave up everything to play the role of the “first lady” and it’s too late to bring in an understudy.
I remember being a teenager sitting outside of church after loading my drums into the car and saying to myself: “I should write a play called ‘The First Lady Syndrome’ to bring awareness to the downsides of being a pastor’s wife.” The idea was inspired by my years of witnessing the women who stand next to the “Man of God” become an after-school after though, while the king of the castle roams the land looking for the next strip of grass to conquer.
And while to the untrained eye the kids, a picket fence and a dog Jesus may seems like the perfect situation, I’ve come to realize that the wives of preachers who are plagued with the “Man of God” disease are sick themselves, they’ve been diagnosed with “The First Lady Syndrome.”
These women, who if not truly in love with their “Man of God,” are found and hired by the “board” of the church to fulfill the image of what the wholesome first family should look like. These women think they know what they’re signing up for – sitting at the head table at Founder’s Day banquets and being chauffeured in a car fueled by tithes – but in reality they are introduced to a world that only few can stomach sober.
I had a friend once who called me – this was about five years ago – asking for advice; she had been offered to role of “the first lady.” The “Man of God” the board was considering hiring was known to frequent the boy’s booty hole from time-to-time, however, they thought he would be a great fit as a faith leader and they wanted her to accompany him on stage as his wife.
I was floored when I heard that. I was still young and naive at the time; I didn’t realize arranged marriages happened in the Christian church, especially not just for the purpose of the “perfect picture” for back of the church fans, and especially not when the “Man of God” likes to lay prostrate and have his “armor-bearer” tickle his prostate. I couldn’t imagine what woman must go through when she’s wed to a man who loves HIM more than he loves HER.
More recent, as in a year ago, a “Man of God” from Philadelphia – who didn’t like boys but loved a kiss from Jack Daniel’s – drove his wife into the arms of another “Man of God.” She wasn’t a hired talent, she actually loved him, but unfortunately he loved the church secretary more. After more than twenty years of being plagued with “The First Lady Syndrome” she broke free from bondage and now is happier than ever, or so she claims.
The “Man of God” explained her disappearance to the congregation by claiming that she was sick had been home rehabilitating. Truth is, she was out pricing a new condo with her man, who also put a nice rock on her finger.
Anyway, the point is, “The Man of God” disease and “The First Lady Syndrome” is having more than just a negative impact on the communities and the people that follow seeking hope and guidance, it’s causing irreparable harm to children are watching this show and are too young to under the graphic nature being produced. There’s a problem in the church that’s causing widespread illness and we have to do more than shout for a cure.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE
Source: TBO Inc®
Twitter: @therealTBOInc
Facebook: /therealTBOInc
©2013 All Rights Reserved.
—
Photo: Nestor’s Blurrylife/Flickr