One evening after Bible study at the jail, an inmate asked if she could talk with me privately.
Judy told me her 15-year-old son had experienced repeated sexual abuse by the assistant manager of an establishment where teenagers frequent. She named the establishment and the offender’s name. The experience left her son confused, angry and embarrassed. He didn’t want his mother to cause trouble and she didn’t know what to do.
We prayed together—for her son and for her. We asked God to give me direction and wisdom in what to do with this information.
I went home and prayed about it. I waited two days and then felt God leading me to take action. Her story may not be true, but perhaps it is! The matter cannot be ignored. I made an appointment with the manager of the establishment in question.
He was gracious and listened. He knew the boy I referenced and his mother. He said Judy has a known history of drugs and alcohol. He questioned her integrity and doubted her story. Yet he said, “If what she said is true, then it needs to be dealt with.” He thanked me and assured me that he would take care of the matter from here on.
A week later Judy was waiting for me with a big smile. She said the manager had come to visit her in jail and she’d explained to him the situation.
Some weeks later I again saw Judy. She told me the assistant manager had confessed and was now in jail!
“Thank You Lord God, for helping Judy, for helping me, for helping the manager do the right thing. Please heal Judy’s son from harmful memories. Help him follow You all the days of his life. Oh. And the perpetrator? He needs You, Lord, to cleanse him and turn his life around. He too is a victim of the Evil One. Show him Your ways and Your power to live a life honoring to you. I pray in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.”
- He will defend the oppressed among the people; he will deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4 (NET)
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
- SONG: HUG THEM – Lyrics by Liana Wendy Howarth; Music by Kathleen
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Praise the Lord that the perpetrator was held accountable by his boss. Now I hope the boy is getting some counseling to help him heal.
I’m afraid I don’t know the answer. But we can pray that God will guide this teenager and draw him to Jesus.
Your love and obedience to the Father has witnessed so beautifully in many lives here Kathleen. Praise God that when He sends His word, it does not return unto Him void. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
I was so grateful to God to learn the manager had followed through. Yes, God’s Word does accomplish that which He pleases.
Being a survivor of sexual abuse we should always take a report of the crime seriously. The worst damage for the victim is not being believed and ignored at their cries for help. I applaud you for moving on it even though the possibility was that it could be fabricated. Thank you for standing up for truth and light my friend!!
Thank you, Dixie, for your encouragement. You should know the seriousness and the terror of not being believed. I believe it was the Lord who laid it on my heart so heavily, to follow through. Praise Him!
Kathleen, thank you for sharing this story — and for your ministry to inmates and your brave stand for the helpless!
Thank you, Michele! It’s my greatest joy and pleasure to serve God in any way.