You are withdrawn and you are uncertain “why?” You don’t like close contact with others, “why?” You find it difficult as an adult to have a healthy sex life, “why?” You can not stand to read or watch audio where children have been molested, “why?”
You might also be asking “WHY?” I am surprised how many women I know, have been sexually molested by a close family member – many from their grandfathers, fathers, brothers, uncles etc. For years, women have kept things like this quiet and yet many of their decisions and thought patterns are affected by the abuse they have quietly suffered.
I have friends who, are no longer young spring chickens, but rather parents of teenagers who are reliving the abuse they have kept choked down, hidden away for so long. Women may not understand what is going on – why are they having a problem now after all the years it has been kept quiet?
I want to encourage each of us as adults to be responsible and look for the signs that a child has been abused. If you are living in such a situation, seek help. I know of a shelter in our area where they help women and their children who find themselves in abusive situations.
Years ago we did not have the support system that we have now. Many groups help support shelters and counselors. I recently met a woman, who has lost her 4 children because she was unable to care for them. She was on drugs, alcohol and has lived on the streets since she was a very young teenager. She went in and out of foster homes and was sexually and physically abused in these homes and she ran to the streets to live. For years she has lived homeless. Now she married a man who also has many problems and he abuses her. She is use to it and she feels he doesn’t mean to do so, she must deserve it!
One of the ladies she has recently met has introduced her to this Shelter for help. This woman has a chance to turn her life around for the better. It will be up to her to make the choices. However, once you learn her story you realize just how bad she has had it all her life.
For those women who are married to men who abuse their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, you should speak up – if you are afraid, go find help. Get help. It is better for you to get the children out of an abusive situation. One of my friends had been abused by her grandpa, while grandma was in the bed. How horrific. She had to know what was going on.
What I would like to tell you each that God understands and wants to be your friend. You might ask, “Why did God allow it to happen, if He really cares?” God loves us and wants you to know that sin does reign and He desires for all people to come to know Him as their Lord and Savior. We don’t have the whole picture, but God does.
May you find peace as you travel your journey of life.
John 14:27
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid. (Spoken by Jesus)
