Over A Year Later

God works in mysterious ways. His ways are not my ways. But maybe just maybe what happened today will help push forward the fight for justice and help make a man face his past...

In November 2010 I sent an email via the state's attorney website asking for information about prosecuting and pressing charges. I never heard back from them and therefore forgot about this inquiry. I went on to decide that reporting the abuse was the 1st step and with the loving support from my pastors who accompanied me to the police stations, reports were made in January 2011.

My year went on. I went about my life and continued in therapy. I worked and volunteered. I have hung out with friends, lost friends and found friends. More babies have entered my life that I get the unbelievable privledge to be "aunt" to. I survived the holidays and my birthday is in 2 days.

Today, I received an email response from the chief at the state's attorney office to that initial inquiry. Perhaps this will be the way God helps me understand what's happening with my case. Maybe He sent me this woman so that things can move forward. Maybe she'll want to help me, really help me.

I want my stepfather to have to face what he did. I want him to understand the damage he caused and I want my family to understand that he is not a safe person for my niece and nephews and cousins to be around. The more research I did, the more I realized that he committed a felony, a crime, against me and he shouldn't just get to live a happy life now. I want him to face his actions and I want him to ask God for forgiveness. I want him to ask me for forgiveness. I want my family to see, really see. And I want my family safe and free from the bondage he has them in.

Maybe this is the way God will defend me. Maybe He will use this woman for something in my life. Or maybe its His way of reminding me that He hasn't forgotten, that He understands and that He is in charge.

Whatever it is...this email lets me know I'm not alone anymore. Someone heard my cry. Maybe they'll do something about it. Praying God's will be done, not mine!