Have you ever wondered why justice is so long in coming, or maybe you’ve concluded that it will never come? After all, what justice is there in a child being raped? Adding insult to injury, why do so many perpetrators remain “free,” while their victims live lives of quiet desperation battling ongoing PTSD, betrayal, and … Continue reading Why Do You Make Me Look at Injustice?
Recently the story of Hager in Genesis 16 and 21 spoke to me as it relates to a history of abuse. I had never actually considered her story before it jumped off the page at me. In an odd sort of way, her story offers encouragement to folks like me who sometimes get lost in … Continue reading Where You are Going Matters!
This poignant image of a precious little girl on her way to have fun in the company of a wolf stirs me deeply. As she glances over her shoulder, she is unaware of the menacing look in the wolf’s eyes. The image captures for me both the innocence and vulnerability of a child being “groomed” … Continue reading When Grooming is Mistaken for Love
This past week I read a book that stirred feelings deep in my soul again. The book, A Serial Killer’s Daughter, by Kerri Rawson chronicled the journey Kerri has been on since learning at the age of 26 that her dad was the notorious BTK serial killer in Kansas. All the years prior to that, … Continue reading Unexpected Doorways to Healing
Happy New Year everyone! Today is a day we often think about new beginnings as we plan for the future. However, those of us who have been impacted by sexual abuse often feel so weighed down by the wounds inflicted upon us yesterday that it’s hard to imagine a better tomorrow. The holidays often bring … Continue reading The Journey from Impacted to Becoming Impactful
Many of us think of sexual abuse as an unpardonable sin. Its effects are so far-reaching. We have been told repeatedly that abusers can’t change, and recovery means acknowledging that fact while no longer permitting what happened to control us. We hold on to the hope that change is possible for us, but we believe … Continue reading What if the Improbable Was Somehow Possible?
Anger is a very interesting emotion, especially in the life of a sexual abuse survivor. I have met many survivors whose reactions were defined by anger; it seems to be the only emotion they were in touch with. Others don’t allow themselves to feel anger, as if it is somehow bad. The question is what … Continue reading Can Anger Lead to Breakthrough?
Father Knows Best was a popular television show when I was a child. It was about the Anderson family whose dad offered sage advice whenever one of his children encountered a problem. The image of a caring father who acts in the best interest of his children is an anomaly for victims of sexual abuse … Continue reading How Knowing God as “Father” Informs My Understanding of Prayer
Sexual abuse victims find many reasons to hide: shame, fear, feelings of inadequacy, etc. Over time, hiding can become a way of life. But, what if the things you believe about yourself are not true and the way you see yourself is inaccurate? What might your life become if hiding were no longer necessary? The … Continue reading What If Hiding Is No Longer Necessary?
For many years Mother’s Day was difficult for me. I had a hard time picking out a card for my Mama. For reasons I didn’t understand, I shied away from ones that talked about how great she was or how she had always been there for me. I searched for more generic cards that simply … Continue reading Remembering Mama and How Mother’s Day was Restored for Us
Restored Destiny 