Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What does divorce look like?

I knew a little girl who was so cute and bubbly that complete strangers would come up to her and ask her questions just to get to know her. She brightened a room with her love of life and her positive spirit. Her flame was bright.
At three, after her parents had divorced, she was forced to stay with a family member and had to endure an uncle touching her inappropriately and causing her to feel feelings she was not ready to feel yet. Her flame began to dim.
By seven, she was hiding under a bed for protection in a crack house praying to God to save her from the chaos. He did, but her flame still dimmed.
Now at eight, her confidence is shattered as she has been violently forced to watch pornography and abused by a man she trusted. Her childhood spirit taken from her, the flame growing dimmer still yet.
She is a fighter, but her flame continues to grow dimmer and dimmer.
Her new step dad promises to ease the pain for this little girl, but he is drawn to the small flame that still flickers and creates even more grief with his inappropriate love for her.
Her flame almost goes out, but her Father intervenes.
The intercession of Jesus erases her guilt, anger, and betrayal and replaces it with love, security, and forgiveness.
She is not an exception to the rule of divorce.
Children are at risk. Please keep them safe.