For as long as I can remember, I felt that one day I should write a book. I remember thinking that at a young age, but had no leading or topic to write on. Now freedom from sexual abuse has been my passion ever since Christ delivered me and freed me from the past abuse that I suffered. I remember helping work with a sexual abuse support group and after sharing my story, one person in the group said to me that she never knew that she could be free. That stuck with me to this day, and is the main reason I desire to write this book. To let everyone know that there is freedom. That one can truly be healed from the past sexual abuse. One can enjoy all the blessings that await you at the end of the journey.

Yet, the journey is a process. We see many in Scripture who are healed by one touch of Jesus. For example, the woman bleeding for twelve years; one touch from Jesus' cloak, and she was healed instantly (see Matthew 9:20-22). So the same can seem to be expected for the abused. Yet our loving Savior chooses to do otherwise. We see an example of this healing process in Mark 8:22-25 with the healing of a blind man.

"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?' He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.' Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." (NIV)

Why didn't Jesus just heal this blind man with one touch like He did the woman bleeding for twelve years? I believe it's because our precious Lord knew that there would be some who's soul would be so damaged from sexual abuse that He needed to give an example of how He lovingly wants to walk them down the healing path. First, we see here in the above story that Jesus took the blind man's hand. Second He "led him outside the village." Third, Jesus healed him partially; the blind man could see, but not clearly. Fourth, the blind man's "eyes were opened." Fifth, the blind man's "sight was restored." Finally, the blind man "saw everything clearly."

Just as Jesus took the blind man's hand, He wants to take the frightened abused little girl inside of you and lead you down the path of healing. He wants to lead you to a deeper and closer relationship to Himself through the healing process. He wants to restore you and make you whole. Jesus wants to take each broken part of your past and gently and lovingly bring about healing until you are completely free from the past sexual abuse. Our loving, compassionate Jesus wants to bring you to a place where your eyes are opened and you can see Him more clearly. "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42:5, NIV).

It begins at the foot of the cross. When Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary. He died to give us life in Him. He died to set the captives free, even those who have been sexually abused. Yet, Christ didn't stop there, He also died to make us whole and bring about sanctification. He hung on that cross knowing that He would redeem those souls who have been bound by past abuse. That's why I sincerely believe that no one can truly heal from sexual abuse apart from Christ. The Bible says, "...apart from me {Christ} you can do nothing" (John 15:5b, NIV). Yet, "I can do everything through Him {Christ} who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13, NIV). True ever lasting change can only come from the power of God. "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV). "The Lord is my helper" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV).

As the Lord took me down my journey to healing, I envisioned myself a closed rose bud that everyday the Lord began to open the petals. Unfortunately, they didn't always stay open at first. But as the weeks and months went on, I began to see this once frightened little girl (closed rose bud) blossom into a beautiful flower through the redemptive love of Jesus...journey with me and see how!