Dear Lord,
You know I try not to make a habit of speaking in 1st person for you. I want to approach this project with a deep reverence for your Word and for your revealed character. I want this letter to reflect what I believe you would audibly say to me, not just what I want to hear. I pray that you will guide me in all truth; please reveal to me in an intimate and personal way, how you feel about the wounds these two men have left on my heart. Please help me to turn over my pain to you, my resentments, my fears and my hardness. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. Please Lord, help me. I want to clear the inner chambers of my heart, and surrender it all to you. As you know, I’ve been asked to give an apology on behalf of YOU for the actions and inactions of these two men.
However, if I truly believe Romans 8:28, that ALL things work together for good, to those who love You and are called according to your purpose….I don’t believe there is anything to apologize for. However I do believe, you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). This gives me a beautiful picture in my mind, of me as a little girl, pig-tails in my dark black hair and warm tears rolling down my full cheeks, with you kneeling beside me tenderly tending to my wounds. Like a Daddy putting a Band-Aid on a scraped knee, only better; You don’t just cover-up scraped knees, you completely heal gaping wounds of the soul. Here goes…..
My dear beloved daughter Debra,
My intimate knowledge of you is eternal. I have known you before the foundations of the earth. I’ve knitted you together in your mother’s womb. I know they have deeply hurt and disappointed you. Nothing in all creation is hidden from My sight. Everything is uncovered and lay bare before Me (Hebrews 4:13), the many times you have felt taunted, lonely, neglected emotionally, discouraged and worthless. I saw their actions, how they felt about women and how they treated you. But that’s not how I see women, I love my daughters. I chose to meet the woman at the well, a woman who was an outcast, a woman who was lonely. The culture of the time, sadly considered women as second-class citizens, as property; and Samaritans, a despised people group considered nothing but dogs. But I loved her, I knew her, like I know you. She was of great value to me, as are you! I loved her with an everlasting love; I gave her truth, hope and purpose. You have a purpose Debra. The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years, I did not view her as unclean, but I had deep compassion for her suffering. I turned my full attention to her and addressed her as “daughter” because I saw her worth and her dignity. She was healed and restored by My power and grace. In all of the Gospels, a woman, Mary Magdalene is the first witness to the Resurrection. She was my daughter, she was my faithful disciple, and I loved her. AS I LOVE YOU.
I saw him hold you down, I felt your helplessness. I saw the history of apathy towards women. I felt your devastating rejection and I know you’re still at times walking around in that. They are both sinners; like the rest of humanity, broken and flawed. They failed you. I died for their sins and I died for yours. You need not carry their view of womanhood anymore my beloved daughter, you need to KNOW and REST in MY view of womanhood. The creation of your first parents, Adam and Eve were made in MY image. VALUE, WORTH, PURPOSE….those are the words I want you to repeat in your heart and in your mind VALUE, WORTH, PURPOSE…..VALUE, WORTH, PURPOSE. Give ME your pain and disappointment, I can handle it. Cast your burdens on Me my daughter, I will sustain you, you are wrapped in My righteousness and I make you unmovable (Psalm 55:22) Their opinions and beliefs do not matter. How I see you is the ONLY thing that matters. Abide in My Word. Be of good cheer my daughter, your faith has made you whole, remember I have overcome the world, and I am coming back for you to receive you to Myself. I can’t wait to spend eternity with you.
Love,
The LORD
