For You

In a few weeks, my journey to Iowa will begin. This will be more than just a trip across a few states. I'm anticipating many hard, yet rewarding experiences. Nine weeks of my summer will be spent serving on a Ranch working with abused and at-risk children and youth. In preparing to serve in ways I never have before, I wrote the following lines.
This is dedicated to anyone who has ever experienced the horrible pain of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.


For you who are being robbed of your innocence - I will fight
For you who are trapped in a wold of pain - I will fight
For you who have lost hope - I will fight
For you who have been used then rejected - I will fight
For you who are weak - I will fight
For you who have lost the desire to fight - I will fight

I will fight against the powers of darkness
I will fight the temptation to ignore your pain
I will fight so that you may find hope and healing

For you who have been silenced - I will be a voice
For you who cannot love or even understand love - I will show love
For you who can no longer trust - I will be faithful

I will fight; for you who were once victims can be made into victors.
Not through strength of my own will I fight
Because Christ has fought for me - I will fight for you

Will YOU be a Voice?

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month

 I encourage you to make yourself more aware on the subject and join in the fight against it. Here are some great places to get started: human-trafficking  Human Trafficking Love146

However, Human Trafficking is actually not the issue I am going to address, but a similar one - Sexual Abuse. Over the next few months I will be doing several posts on the topic. It is difficult to talk about. It is uncomfortable to talk about. But in the protection of the innocent and the healing of victims - talk about it we must. The victims need voices who will speak for them. 

Silent No Longer

A world of people around me,

yet no one to hear my hurting cries.

  I open my mouth to speak,

but the pain goes unheard.

Afraid to speak without gaining your trust,

 I hold the hurt in - which grows stronger each day.

I want to share with you my story,

But never stopping to show me that you care -

  you walk right on by.

Too focused on your own life,

you have become blind to the hurt at your side.

Broken and disgraced,

  my innocence robbed of me.

Left hurting in silence-

  but learn to go on I must.

The pain yet remains.

But broken and bleeding for me, my Savior;

  through Him who bore my shame

I now am made free.

Free of the disgrace,

That robbed me of my innocence;

I find healing and strength to forgive

through Christ my Savior.

I will be silent no longer.

  I must speak - though painful it will be.

Others are suffering in silence.

  I must be their voice

when they are yet afraid to speak.