First of all, your comments came accross as arrogant and hurtful. I really don't care if you believe I'm from Via or not. Should I hand in my passports and report cards?? I do agree that my post sounded harsh and uncaring, I am sorry for that. My purpose for commenting was to encourage those abused that God does love us and He does care for us, each step of our lives. God was the ONE comfort in my years of abuse. I was abused my whole childhood, as far back as I can remember. I was humiliated, berated, lectured and criticized for everything I did or was imagined that I did. I was forced to listen to sexually explicit accusations for hours. I'm not saying that there isn't pain in abuse. I'm shaking all over and can hardly read through my tears. I've lived with the effects of my abuse and I've watched it tear apart those I love the most - each has permanent medical problems from the stress and abuse that we endured. I've lived through depression, suicidal thoughts and the pain that came with living day after day, unable to escape. DO you understand all the different aspects that abuse can take? I know I don't, but don't lecture me on being sensitive to those who have been abused. I wasn't beaten or sexually assaulted...I believe that I was fortunate. I cannot even image what these individuals have gone though. But I will also take a stand with every ounce of my being that God is faithful ... that He is loving and just, a Father to the fatherless and my Comforter. He offers healing to us with OPEN arms. He is the only one who hears every cry of our hearts and feels the pain that goes so deep ... so deep that those around us can't even comprehend the surface of it. There is no limit to what God can do for broken, abused children. I am one of them.
I believe wholeheartedly that God's love is constant through it all. He was with me every day and I can say that I am only where I am now by God's grace. He offers healing, peace, and love. I faced the choice to let that pain eat away at me or to forgive. Healing takes a long time, bit by bit, day by day, but God has never left me. I believe he can take the ugliest situation imaginable and turn it into good. A candle shines brightest in the darkest of rooms. I always thought of myself as a worthless, broken vessel. But He says "come to me you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I believe that God can shine through those cracks and broken pieces. But most of all He loves each one of us individually, more than we could ever imagine. We live in a fallen world, but "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world". I wish with my whole heart that those abused can give God their pain and experience healing and freedom from thier past.
Secondly, I made no comment that I thought those responsible should receive a "discount". I absolutely agree that NTM needs to be held accountable for their actions. God doesn't minimize sin. He hates it. We as believers are responsible for holding each other accountable and I am so thankful that the abuse issues are being brought forward and dealt with. The crimes committed should be brought out and those who did them held accountable TO THE FULLEST EXTENT. NTM knew about my abuse situation and did nothing. I don't hold them accountable for my abuse...that belongs to one man only. I DO hold them accountable for their negligence in taking action when it was their responsibility to do so. I also agree that a crime was committed and it should be dealt with accordingly. But I think that "doctrinal/fellowship/kumbaya vibes" can play a role in the actions we take during the process. With that in mind, I still say to please not forget the other NTMers that are genuine, godly people.
My intent was not to hurt anyone. I highly respect fandaeagles for being willing to step up and hold those responsible in NTM and the abusers to an accountability for thier actions.
|