Family

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The Darkest day of my Life

It was a beautiful spring day unlike no other. The flowers were in bloom and Easter was celebrated a few weeks ago. We also had a new baby in the family. Life was wonderful in 1991.

My husband arrived home from work, played with Justin as most Dads do as I was preparing dinner.Joshua was asleep in his crib.

"Dinner's ready". I called out.
"I'm hungry". Justin said.

We talked about the events of the day, how my day was with the children and his work.

"Honey, I am going to take a shower", Rick stated. "Can I take a shower" ? Justin asked. "No horse playing around", I said with a smile. "We won’t", he replied.

The week nearly over brought my thoughts toward the weekend. It would be nice to visit the zoo. Justin loved going and time seemed to beckon another visit.

I was busy in the kitchen when I remember Justin’s towel. I walked to the linen closet put my hand on the door knob and heard words I thought would never be uttered in all life’s existence.

I realized then Justin had been sexually abused. I flew opened the door, took my young son in my arms and wrapped a towel around him. Rick, What are you doing? What have you done?

Questions and betrayal were the topic of the moment and then I left. The man that I have been married to for six years and loved has committed the most heinous crimes.

How can a man who claims to be a Christian abuse his own son? A backslidden Christian yes, a committed Christian no.

It was two years before this passed in our lives, though it never really has. When I say pass I refer to the courts and the department of children and family.

My husband’s family shunned me for reporting him, God never shunned me. The darkest day of my life proved to me the faithfulness of God.

I found him to be a Father to the Fatherless and a husband to the widow.

Two years after the abuse, my sons and I moved to another part of the state and filed for divorce. During the time Rick was in prison I knew my Heavenly Father required me to forgive him and I did.


I would have failed to survive had it not been for the relationship I had with the creator of the universe and still do today. God will accomplish the work He has planned for us only if we will allow.

My children and I are living proof of his miracles and his faithfulness. If I could name this article by two titles the second one would be "When the bottom falls out."

Because I know God is truely next to those who's heart is breaking. I know I have been down the path of tears and seen the devestation abuse leaves behind.

While sexual abuse is not likely to be on the top of our lists to talk about it is still a part of society that sadly will not depart.

Everyday families struggle with some type of abuse. We as women have to come to the realization abuse is real but will not be tolerated.

If God had opened the curtain of my future and showed me the life I wsa about to embark on I would have said I couldn't endure it. Even though babies have a way of making life for meaniful on difficult days, I was now raising two children by myself, my newborn and toddler.

There were days I thought were to unbearable but my relationship with God sustained me. Nothing is to hard for Him. We as His children have to put our total trust in the One who created us and called us by name.

Our Heavenly Father commands us to forgive the one who inflicted the abuse. Is it easy to forgive such a person? No, it is not easy. But yes it is mandatory.

For our children, ourselves and the one found guilty. Christ went to Calvary for all of mankind. He forgave those who abused him, we can do no less.

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