COMPASSION
I want to take a moment to thank all who have offered kind words of support. Especially to the preachers and pastors who have refused to be pulpit bullies, choosing instead to be Christlike, exhibiting compassion in the midst of a subject matter where so many, either lack understanding, or choose, erroneously, to disregard the issue altogether. For far too long, sexual abuse and misconduct has been and very real and prevalent evil, not only in our society; but, sadly, and overwhelmingly so, for many within the walls of the church itself. Compassion does not mean that you have all the answers; but, rather that you are indwelt with the godly spirit which persuades you to care for the hearts of others; as you would have them care for your heart, regarding matters that cause you to sorrow.
Thank you.
I pray that God will give those, especially in the pulpits, who still insist on adding weight to the already heavy loads of sexual abuse survivors, the wisdom, understanding, and compassion to restore others as God has restored them. For, as I have said before, if Christ himself would not break the bruised reed, nor should we. It is my hope that they will come to understand that when they are berating, accusing, and demanding silence or apology from the victim, for speaking out; they are quite likely, speaking painful, judgmental, words of discouragement to their very own mothers, aunts, cousins, friends, etc. I’m speaking particularly to those preachers who are of my generation. So many of our female ancestors, because of a shame that wasn’t theirs, went to their graves with heavy hearts. Yet, many still, even in the midst of this “MeToo” generation, because of the same unnecessary stigma, sit in silence, in churches all over the world. There may even be some you who have daughters, who wish they could turn to you for comfort; but, because you have shown such a lack of compassion from the pulpit, they’re afraid that you will see them as a weak victim, or as being accusatory, or they may think that you will place the blame on them. God does not bring us out of Egypt to walk in shame; He delivers and restore us to give testimony to His omnipotence.
Even if you have somehow, escaped the familial connection to the evil of sexual abuse; being that most church congregations, especially African American churches, upwards of 75 percent female, the probability that there are survivors seated in the pews of your church, is more than highly likely. All I’m saying is this, despite what you think of me or my testimony, consider the survivors in your midst; those who contribute heavily to your storehouses: They don’t need to be told how weak you think they are, or how negative or unlovable they may have presented themselves to be, at times: Trust me, they have lived the emotional struggle first-hand and have spent, I would venture, the better part of their lives trying to recover some sense of stability. Therefore, they sit before the priest on Sunday mornings, as part of an ongoing process of restoration. If anything, these church sisters deserve a medal of honor, simply for having endured and not having allowed the devil to claim victory amid his filth.
Unfortunately, unlike those church-going women, so many others chose to, literally, check out of this life, long ago; while countless others have fallen into survivor pits. Though they did not commit suicide, they have checked out of life through substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, abusive relationships, crime, etc. Many of these women sit in prisons all over this country, and indeed, throughout the world, because of a decision made in response to the residue of sexual abuse, which continually torments their minds. Some of these women are mothers; yet, all of them are our neighbors who fell among “the thief.” We cannot walk pass them.
To these precious sisters, I apologize for remaining silent for so long. I say, therefore: “YouToo!” God has a definitive plan for all of our lives; though sometimes we get off track, nobody’s perfect; but, walk in the confidence that God is fully aware. He not only knows who you are; He also knows where you are, at all times, and He’s right there with you. For He promised to never leave you, nor forsake you.
Woman, not only art thou loosed . . .” But, I pray:
Heavenly Father, by Your peace, which surpasses all understanding and according to Your promise in Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Fix it Jesus! Woman thou art restored; Woman thou are vindicated; and, in due season, WOMAN THOU ART EXALTED! ARISE, SHINE; FOR THY LIGHT IS COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON THEE. SEALED in the most righteous name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. AMEN
I want to take a moment to thank all who have offered kind words of support. Especially to the preachers and pastors who have refused to be pulpit bullies, choosing instead to be Christlike, exhibiting compassion in the midst of a subject matter where so many, either lack understanding, or choose, erroneously, to disregard the issue altogether. For far too long, sexual abuse and misconduct has been and very real and prevalent evil, not only in our society; but, sadly, and overwhelmingly so, for many within the walls of the church itself. Compassion does not mean that you have all the answers; but, rather that you are indwelt with the godly spirit which persuades you to care for the hearts of others; as you would have them care for your heart, regarding matters that cause you to sorrow.
Thank you.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
I pray that God will give those, especially in the pulpits, who still insist on adding weight to the already heavy loads of sexual abuse survivors, the wisdom, understanding, and compassion to restore others as God has restored them. For, as I have said before, if Christ himself would not break the bruised reed, nor should we. It is my hope that they will come to understand that when they are berating, accusing, and demanding silence or apology from the victim, for speaking out; they are quite likely, speaking painful, judgmental, words of discouragement to their very own mothers, aunts, cousins, friends, etc. I’m speaking particularly to those preachers who are of my generation. So many of our female ancestors, because of a shame that wasn’t theirs, went to their graves with heavy hearts. Yet, many still, even in the midst of this “MeToo” generation, because of the same unnecessary stigma, sit in silence, in churches all over the world. There may even be some you who have daughters, who wish they could turn to you for comfort; but, because you have shown such a lack of compassion from the pulpit, they’re afraid that you will see them as a weak victim, or as being accusatory, or they may think that you will place the blame on them. God does not bring us out of Egypt to walk in shame; He delivers and restore us to give testimony to His omnipotence.
Even if you have somehow, escaped the familial connection to the evil of sexual abuse; being that most church congregations, especially African American churches, upwards of 75 percent female, the probability that there are survivors seated in the pews of your church, is more than highly likely. All I’m saying is this, despite what you think of me or my testimony, consider the survivors in your midst; those who contribute heavily to your storehouses: They don’t need to be told how weak you think they are, or how negative or unlovable they may have presented themselves to be, at times: Trust me, they have lived the emotional struggle first-hand and have spent, I would venture, the better part of their lives trying to recover some sense of stability. Therefore, they sit before the priest on Sunday mornings, as part of an ongoing process of restoration. If anything, these church sisters deserve a medal of honor, simply for having endured and not having allowed the devil to claim victory amid his filth.
Unfortunately, unlike those church-going women, so many others chose to, literally, check out of this life, long ago; while countless others have fallen into survivor pits. Though they did not commit suicide, they have checked out of life through substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, abusive relationships, crime, etc. Many of these women sit in prisons all over this country, and indeed, throughout the world, because of a decision made in response to the residue of sexual abuse, which continually torments their minds. Some of these women are mothers; yet, all of them are our neighbors who fell among “the thief.” We cannot walk pass them.
To these precious sisters, I apologize for remaining silent for so long. I say, therefore: “YouToo!” God has a definitive plan for all of our lives; though sometimes we get off track, nobody’s perfect; but, walk in the confidence that God is fully aware. He not only knows who you are; He also knows where you are, at all times, and He’s right there with you. For He promised to never leave you, nor forsake you.
Woman, not only art thou loosed . . .” But, I pray:
Heavenly Father, by Your peace, which surpasses all understanding and according to Your promise in Joel 2:25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Fix it Jesus! Woman thou art restored; Woman thou are vindicated; and, in due season, WOMAN THOU ART EXALTED! ARISE, SHINE; FOR THY LIGHT IS COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON THEE. SEALED in the most righteous name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. AMEN
THANK YOU LORD
