Sunday, July 21, 2013

Resist The Devil And He Will Flee...

 As I have walked on my path to healing and rehabilitation, being open and unashamed seemed to be the best way to forgive myself and to continue getting stronger in the process. A lot of people questioned me about my relationship with 'Pastor' Slattery. Wasn't I unfaithful to him and that's why my kids were sent to my daughter's home to live for a year? No. Wasn't he driven to molestation due to my not fulfilling his needs as a wife? Again, NO!

Molesting children is a sick practice that has nothing to do with whether or not I was a good wife. It had nothing to do with my past relationship to my present husband. Anyone that thinks that needs to have their own head examined!

If there is any reason for what happened, it probably had more to do with the ex-Pastor's formative years, way before I ever laid eyes on him.

 There was, according to his own testimony, pornography around him as he was growing up, coupled with parents who didn't get along and a long history of unfaithfulness and alcoholism within the family. Something happened that twisted him enough that he acted out on these sick impulses toward his own kids. Unfortunately, I didn't see the signs.

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 
(Ephesians 5:9-12)

One of my daughters said to me the other day, "There isn't a day that I don't think about how abusive he (Slattery) could be." I know....me too. However it is getting easier for me to pass those hurdles. I have learned a lot about child molesters. I have learned to tell the difference between what is 'normal' and what is not. You see, with my background, it was truly hard for me to see those boundaries. I have to remember that and be glad for the progress I've made.

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 
(Ephesians 5:13-16)

As far as being open and honest about the whole thing, well...I am quite a bit more circumspect in my day to day dealings. My daughters are all beautiful, young women and though I cannot any longer protect the older ones, I can do what I can with the ones living home. Because boundaries were not taught throughout their growing up years, I have to try and teach them what is ok and what is not. This can be a challenge as young teens can certainly be magnets to young men who are over the legal age, and to those who are creepy pedophiles that stare at their backsides when they walk.

                                                                                                            What works for me is to publicly call the pervert, the predator... out. Yes, it may seem undignified to some of you yet to me, some 40-ish creeper staring at my daughter like she's a tasty treat is much more disturbing! I am no longer afraid or embarrassed to draw attention to these perverts. Remember, PERVERTS is what they are! I have been known, on more than one occasion, to say something along the lines of," Hey, you must be a pervert...my kid is only__teen ! I see you checking her out! You must be a pedophile!"  It may not solve the problem forever but it nips it in the bud for a bit. Not even a pedo wants to be publicly embarrassed like that. My guess is, most people either ignore the guy or are fearful of facing him. I have seen that look of shock when I apprehend the demons.

The Bible has a verse that reminds me not to fear these pedophile devils, who have hearts filled with lust for a child,: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)

That is what I aim to do.
                                                                                 


Sunday, July 14, 2013

An Open Letter To Parents With Sexually Abused Children

Dear Parents,
I do not claim expertise on the subject of dealing with children who have been abused sexually, spiritually or emotionally. I would like to share with you my experiences in hope that it will help somehow in your situation.  There are several things that seem to be key in helping a child to get on with their lives after trauma:

  1. It is of the utmost importance that you be PATIENT with your child. It may be that your son or daughter are simply not ready to disclose everything that happened right away. Give them time. This is especially true if the kids are older or were molested a long time ago and are just beginning to open up.
  2. Be the someone that your kids can trust. Don't spread what they disclose to just anybody without talking to the injured party. Someone mentioned our incident to a staff member of a local restaraunt who had the audacity to walk up to my kids in the middle of ordering and ask them about their dad!
  3. Realize that there is usually shame and a sense of false guilt involved with a child who has been abused. It's important to let them know, even if it's a million times over, they were not at fault. Responsibility should always rest on the shoulders of the adult offender.
  4. Let your child grieve. Sometimes the best way to heal is to cry. Tears can be of benefit but tears can also mean depression and suicidal thoughts. Be there to soothe your child and make them feel loved and safe. NEVER IGNORE THEM WHILE THEY ARE GRIEVING. Sit with them, give them a hug but don't rush them. The worst that anyone can say in this situation is, "Stop crying! Get over it!"
  5. Find help for the child and yourself. Abuse is a hard problem to deal with even if the abuser is long gone. It's good to have someone outside of the situation counsel your child and it's important to allow yourself to get help as well. Parenting a hurting child can be very stressful.
  6. The last point I would like to make is-don't be judgemental! Allow dialogue to flow when your child is ready. Listen but don't interrupt. No matter how disgusted or upset you get at what your child confides in you, show them you are accepting of them as they are and will love them no matter what.
Pray for yourself, your child and even the offender-let God show you the way of truth, light and mercy. Nothing is impossible for Him, nothing is too hard.
Show your child the unlimited love God has for His own by being a channel for that same love and kindness.

Yelena


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Turn Fear To Anger...Then Let It Go

Fear was thinking I was going to die while I lay in the back of a van being repeatedly raped.

Fear was thinking I might not see my children with me ever again.

Fear was thinking I might lose my soul-mate because my life was too crazy, chaotic....I was in fear continually!

To my older daughters, fear is thinking they may have to deal with their father once again. 

That he might get them alone.

That he might decide to come in to the restaraunt in which my daughter works in, have a seat and buy a meal and stare at her while she is working.

It was surprising to me that my children exchanged their bewilderment about their father to fear.

Being fearful to the point of emotional bondage serves
no purpose...

I learned a lesson and I have put it into practice:

                                                       FEAR is a waste...

It stunts growth...

It kills the spirit..

It bathes you in paranoia until you shrivel up and disappear.

Take that fear and turn it into ANGER!

Make it loud and long

Tear away at the fabric of fearfulness and allow yourself to replace it with a healthy dose of anger;

for the child within you that has been frightened, needs you to chase the shadows away.

To the pedophile, the abuser, you are just another dependent child. 

That is how he gets you, alone and tired...

Worn down and threatened by his lies.

Show no fear

only rage at the vileness of his or her actions 

and EXPOSE him .

Let the world know about the animal that he  truly is.