A lot of people know my mom. They have heard her jokes and her wise advice or perhaps seen her serving here, there, and everywhere! She has such a beautiful heart of service. But I don't know how much they know about her past. Specifically, a painful story that became an instrument of healing for many people's lives. Isn't it awesome to know that we have a God who turns our ashes into beauty? :)
My mother was sexually abused by a close relative when she was very young. The diabolical plan was devised because a man had decided to divorce his wife. He asked for my mother, in exchange, only then would he not divorce her. So in order to save her marriage, she locked my mother in a room and gave the keys to her husband. My mom was only 11 years old.
Elsita was betrayed by someone she trusted, someone she loved. And she grew up in fear in this house where all she ever heard, saw, and experienced was abuse, betrayal, and pain. She finally escaped at age sixteen, determined never to have a marriage that was so full of unfaithfulness and abuse. When she met the Lord she fell in love. She finally met someone who didn't want to use her, or abuse her, or mistreat her or deceive her. But He loved her with an unfailing love.
Not too long after she fell in love again and married a man named Roberto Tejada. :) A man who heard her story and promised her to treat her like a fragile vase. He was greatly used by God to lead her to her complete healing. As God's healing touch began his work in her life, Elsita decided to forgive those who had hurt her so much. Later God used her to lead them to Jesus. On one occasion the very man who had abused her, begged her to forgive him. To this she answered, "I have already forgiven you."
Today, God uses her story to bring healing to many people's lives. The statistics are shocking, "1 out of 3 women will be sexually abused during their lifetime." (woar.org, nsvrc.org). And many women find it difficult and some nearly impossible to recover after such a traumatizing event. But I see my mom. I see how God uses her to speak hope and love into people's lives. And I see how she was able to overcome this to the extent of forgiving those who had so deeply hurt her. God's Word is true, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" - Psalm 147:3. My mom is a testimony of this. That no matter the pain that is inflicted upon us, there will never be a wound that is too deep for God's healing touch! His love is powerful enough to restore and heal! And He makes all things new! Yes He does indeed :)
Love you mom! :)
