A godless rebel told me that I had been ‘groomed’ by the church and I want to admit that’s right. When I was a child, my parents often placed me among adults who indoctrinated me with their beliefs. I didn’t ask for this. It was done to me against my will.

Without my consent, the groomers brainwashed me with Christian religion. They filled my highly impressionable mind with ideas about honesty, integrity, truth, and love. They groomed me to despise my selfishness. They applauded me when I put others above myself.

My groomers knew that the values they imposed upon me as a child would affect me for the rest of my life. Grooming follows a child forever. My groomers implanted faith in God which was the foundation for everything else. I was forced to tell the truth, share my stuff, honor my parents, never take things that don’t belong to me, never harm innocent people, be grateful for what I have, and forgive others when they hurt me. Radical stuff! As a child, I had no way to fight back against these teachers.

One thing is certain; had I not been thoroughly indoctrinated by these groomers, I would have been groomed by someone else. Perhaps I would be controlled by anger and bitterness. I would have learned contempt for those who were groomed differently. I would drive every potential source of goodness away from me until I die unnoticed and unloved.

Thank God for good groomers.

(Psalm 119:66) Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.