During this past year of serving victims and survivors of physical and sexual abuse, countless women have disclosed their stories to me. My heart has expanded with extreme sensitivity and compassion towards these women, as I have learned of the suffering they have and continue to endure by the hands of their fathers. The statistics regarding fathers in relation to domestic violence and sexual assault are both devastating and astronomical.
A father is an irreplaceable person in a child’s life. Statistics show that children who grow up lacking the presence of a loving father are more at risk to develop and engage in destructive behaviors such as, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, alcoholism, promiscuity and the like. With that being said, a child can certainly still suffer from one of the above, with the influence of a loving father.
Today on Father’s Day, MIHI wants to be sensitive to what you are feeling. And if you grew up without the presence of a father and or were abused by your father, Made in His Image is praying for you in a special way today.
So, what do you do if he wasn’t there? I am certainly no expert. But a wise man once told me that when faced with suffering, there are two choices: you can despair or choose to see beauty. And MIHI desires to inspire you to choose the latter.
I’m not saying it will be rainbows and butterflies. It’s okay to be afraid and to feel countless other emotions associated with suffering, abuse and loss. But do not allow yourself to despair, choose instead to seek beauty amidst the ambiguity of life. Rise from the ashes, inspire others with hope, show mercy and kindness, radiate joy and love as the Father has loved and continues to love you. Let His love radiate through you, so that when others see you, they see and feel the love of the Father.
And today if you should feel alone, isolated from those you love or frustrated because you feel as if no one understand your pain, then turn to your Heavenly Father and tell Him your feelings, for He does understand, and sees all things. He is waiting for you to come to Him. Throw yourself into His Arms and let Him hold you through the pain.
There is a loving, gentle, merciful and compassionate Father who will never leave you. You are precious to Him. He adores you so. This is His promise to you: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
It is my hope that Made in His Image will continue to be a safe place for you women to find healing and compassion during your journey of recovery. As always, if there is anything that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We exist to serve you, and your healing, safety and voice is our priority.
Made in His Image would also like to acknowledge all fathers who have mirrored the Heavenly Father’s love and mercy! You are a source of tremendous inspiration and your love produces a rippling effect.
I would also like to honor my dad and wish him a wonderful father’s day! I love you dad. St. Faustina, pray for us!
“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering. But no man can tell another what this purpose is, each must find out for himself, and must accept the responsibility that his answer prescribes. If he succeeds he will continue to grow in spite of all indignities.”
I fight Him with love 