Tuesday, 07 October 2008
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Overcoming Sexual Abuse: A Cinderella Story
Guest post submitted by lulusanchez
Like most little girls, I was always captivated by the story of Cinderella. The story about a girl who was oppressed by her evil stepmother and stepsisters. A beautiful girl, loved by her dear father. However, upon his passing, she was reduced to a servant in her own home.
What I find most intriguing is that, despite her devastation, She never gave up hope on her dreams. She had dreams of meeting the love of her life, a prince, and living happily ever after. No matter how hard her "family" came down her, no matter how many times or how many ways they tried to squelch her dreams, she never gave up hope. And after many trials and tribulations, a torn dress, she was granted that dream.
Her prince found her when she was invisible, he found her when she was in rags, with soot on her face.
I feel I can relate to this fairy tale. I'm not going to pretend that my life has been exactly like hers, but there are some definite parallels; parallels that could be found in the lives of many, the lives of those who have experienced the love, grace, and mercy of their heavenly father.
My story begins when I was 6. The earliest significant memory that I have was of my parents divorce. It wasn't a huge deal to me, them separating, my parents had never really gotten along. However, this event marked a significant turning point in my life.A couple of years after my parents divorce my mother, a woman I respect and love with all my heart, remarried. It seemed like it was going to be ok. My stepfather seemed to care about my mom, he bought her flowers, bought us things as well. And he talked many times about one day having a big house, he even promised me that I would own a horse! What girl doesn't want a horse?
Unfortunately things were not as peachy as they seemed. These ideas were only empty promises used to cover up the truth. Over the course of four years my step-father sexually abused me. He tried to make me believe that I was worth nothing more than to fulfill the sexual desires of men. Satan used him to try and manipulate my dreams of one day meeting my handsome prince, the one who was going to fall in love with my heart. The way he put it, there was no such thing as that prince. It was a horrible time in my life, a confusing time.
Then there is my dad. Good ol' dad. I love him very much, but sometimes parents aren't the mature ones. I have had many struggles for the past 6 years or so with my dad. He wants to have a relationship with me, but he doesn't want to do any of the work. I have to call him, whether it is his birthday or my own; Christmas, Easter, any holiday that involves family, I have to call him.Whenever we have a falling out, I have to be the one who calls and says, "I'm sorry, I'm a fool" even though I have nothing to be sorry about. I remember when I was a child, and I was his little princess. When he would scoop me up in his arms, when he would play his guitar for me at night till I fell asleep. It seems to me, that it was easier to be his daughter then. I know that Satan has used him to get to my heart as well. Satan will not stop at anything to take a pure heart and crush it.
However, despite these circumstances in my life, I never gave up hope. Hope that I was worth something more. I knew in my heart that one day someone would come into my life, and pursue my heart with everything in them. I had no idea that prince would be Jesus Christ. He saw me when I was in rags, when I was invisible, with soot on my face and hands. He saved me from losing sight of my significance.
I could be so far gone right now. I could be an alcoholic, a drug addict, a prostitute, I could be someone who thinks the only way they are ever going to find any feeling close to love is through sexual promiscuity. But God saved me from that! He rescued me from the pit.Many people ask me how I can be so joyful. My answer is this, I take comfort in knowing that God is not only my king, he is my refuge, he is my savior, my prince, my everlasting father, and he will never leave me or forsake me. In Christ I have hope.
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Comments (97)
on that same note, thankyou everyone for your encouragment. It has truely been a blessing. :)
What a wonderful Prince we have :) Thanks for sharing that! It was such a HUGE encouragement to me.
I would find this a whole lot more touching if you stopped blaming Satan for your father and stepfather's problems and maybe just came to admit that they aren't good/perfect/ideal people on their own. The Satan aspect makes me feel like I'm reading a fantasy book and completely trashes any emotion I did feel about this story.
Then again maybe you need to feel like you need somewhere to place blame.
Thank you for sharing your story and how God saved you... its very encouraging.
God bless you!
it's wonderful to see that you're not afraid to give credit where it's due.
it's through these kinds of life experiences that give us wisdom courage.i have gone thru heartbreaking experiences in my life as well, and after almost a decade i can say that my biggest tragedies have turned into my biggest blessings. stay strong :)This is truly a beautiful, inspirational story. There should be more people like you in the world- hopeful, positive, and faithful.
great, inspiring story! May your life experience help others that have been abused. Thanks for sharing!
is your stepfather in prison? have you pressed charges? i certainly hope so.
XOXO-Madison
Thank you for sharing this. Isn't it amazing how much of a lover Christ is? How perfect and soothing and trustworthy and powerful and tender He is? His love amazes me.Â
Amen.
This is such a beautiful story. You're strengh is one I admire. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful story.
Jesus Christ has been my prince as well - seeing and rescuing me even when I had given up hope. I thank God for another person who has been released from shame and darkness. Our God is a healer and a life-giver still!
That was truly and beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. It inspires me to believe that at the end of the day, there is always some hope left.
it's like you almost described my life, except that i'm agnostic.
wow.
http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=400069
You're very courageous.. Not to mention, very strong willed...
Thank you for sharing your story. It is great to read about how God turns people's ashes into something beautiful.
How did you do it and survive it like I've been sexually abused and well ya I had an eating disorder now that's better but having some issues with drug and alcohol, and self-harm and stuff. So I don't know.
Breathtaking.
Even if my problems aren't parallel to yours, this post was very inspiring. :) Thank you and God Bless!
i know the weight your talking about, more than anyone should.
i know you think satan made these men do what they did. it's very
hard, to have someone take that away from you, and i know what they
took, trust, normality, humanity. these things matter and when
your deprived of them before you even know that they are or mean.
it's devistating. satan didn't make these men do what they did,
those people chose to do what they did, and no one, real or not, made
that choice for them. do not blame satan for the sins of humans,
he had as little to do with this as god. I personally believe in
neither, but i know that satan can't make anyone do anything, it's part
of the whole free will deal, god and satan can't force you to do
anything, and they can't force those around you do anything
either. i'm truly sorry for what has happened to you, i really
am. But you really shouldn't direct blame away from those
who hurt you. it screws up the whole healing process (which is,
quite literally, a lifetime). I hope you find happiness in this
lifetime, and not in the promises left to be fullfilled.
Its amazing what He can do.
this story is amazing.... thank you for sharing your encouraging words
Its odd. I had just finished reading this when you added me. I felt a smile on my lips as I hit the accept button! This is the very first thing I have read of yours so far, and it made me cry and smile and nod etc. I know I have been through some things like that, and when people ask me who I got my red hair from I can say happily "My Father, God" In him I trust...Though I may not be perfect or a strict Christian, reading this made me want to get down on my knees and thank the Lord for everything in my life!
-Shelly <3