All my life I never heard anything good at all
I was too skinny, too weak, and most of all too small
All the things that happened, my dad said would make me strong
I believed him all my life until you said ‘he’s wrong!’
I know I still tune out a lot of things he did
But you helped me see, I was very hurt as a kid
Sometimes it confuses me; I don’t know what I’m feeling
But you help me understand this really means I’m healing.
You helped me to realize, maybe I’m not so bad
I can choose a different life; I’m not doomed to be like my dad
I know I still struggle, still mess up, and always get off track
But you are always there for me, you always bring me back.
Abusers attack their prey utilizing elaborate disguises: Violence camouflaged as punishment. Inappropriate touches masquerading as acts of caring. Verbal jabs cloaked as “honest” conversation. Methods vary but the results are always the same: total control for the abuser and full destruction of the victim’s self-worth. How do we expose abusers and defend those harmed?
You helped me tell the counselor things I always kept inside
Things I always thought I couldn’t tell; I would have rather died
When I get tough homework and tell you ‘I don’t think I can do it!’
You always write me back saying, ‘yes you can, you’ll get through it!’
Sometimes I still get nervous; my head gets full of doubt
Because my counselor tells me there is a lot I should get out
When it gets really bad, sometimes I still feel like dying
But you have taught me, “It is worth it!” to keep on trying.
I saw some soldiers on TV who came back from Iraq
Speaking of the nightmares they’ve had since they got back
Some of them would not seek help and they don’t want to speak
Because they don’t want the other men to think they are weak.
I watched and it hit me, ‘those guys are just like me’
Putting on a tough act yet not knowing they’re not free
I know their memories won’t just disappear
And if they don’t get help, they’ll always live in fear.
Jeremiah offers promise in the midst of abuse: “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘says the LORD.’ They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (29:11) For you who have been abused: God offers hope. I pray you receive comfort and courage.
It made me want to tell you how grateful I am for you
You came to me at a time when I didn’t know what to do
But you helped me understand how counseling is right
And helped me get the tools I need to continue with my fight.
So thank you for your patience and thank you for your prayers
Thank you for showing me you are a man who cares
Thank you for giving me a bible I can understand
And thank you most of all for showing me God in a man.