“Jenny” grew up in a home where both parents engaged in extramarital affairs and were prone to violence. In this setting, Jenny soon became emotionally and physically neglected—and vulnerable to others.
An uncle took her to a park and sexually abused her. Jenny experienced a similar fate at the hands of a visiting insurance salesman and from her mother’s boyfriend. By the age of 8, one of Jenny’s brothers was also abusing her. As a result of these experiences, Jenny developed the idea that people would love her only if she was sexually available. You can imagine what this led to during her teenage years. By the time Jenny reached her 30s, she was on her second marriage, prone to affairs herself, and desperate for acceptance.
Jesus loved children (Matthew 18:10, Matthew 19:13-15) and reserved some of His harshest words for those who abused them and led them into sin. Of this, He said, “It would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). One shudders to think of the fate on judgment day of Jenny’s uncle, brother, mother’s boyfriend, and that insurance salesman.
Thankfully, God deeply desires to save damaged “little ones”—as well as those who have hurt them. Jesus likened Himself to a shepherd who searches for and rejoices when He finds even one stray sheep (Matthew 18:12-14). Jenny’s life and lifestyle changed when she came to understand the depth of His love. If the Father loved her that much, she didn’t need to seek approval from others in illicit ways.
Some of Jenny’s abusers may have been acting out of their own childhood abuse. But whatever the case, God continues to seek and save lost “little ones”—no matter how old they are.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 4:1-22
More:
See Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Ephesians 6:4, and Colossians 3:21 for more instruction about how God would have us love children.
Next:
How does this teaching help you understand the reasons for some promiscuous behavior? Why is it so vital that you understand God’s love for you?
alli on March 18, 2013 at 8:18 am
Thank you abusers have many times been abused and sometimes its just satan. Everyone will have to account and its good to not judge people bc you never know where they have been.
alli on March 18, 2013 at 8:21 am
He will judge those who are immoral esp those that hurt kids.
jimgroberts on March 18, 2013 at 9:37 am
It is not our place to judge but it is our job to reconcile and heal. Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery after her accusers had dropped their stones [accusations] “I also do not condemn you, Go and sin no more”. Let us be the example of love and mercy to all the lost remembering ALL sin is an effrontery to God and not single out particular sin.
Even Stephen was able to say as He was being stoned “Do not hold this sin against them”. And Jesus on the cross out of love and mercy spoke “Forgive them Father for they know not what they are doing”.
There is but one sin that is unforgivable – to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
sheridan voysey on March 18, 2013 at 12:03 pm
That last line is the key point. And for its truth we are eternally thankful. We can be forgiven for even something as horrendous as the sins explored in this devotional.
Thanks Jim.
winn collier on March 18, 2013 at 8:42 pm
these stories are so painful. healing comes into such painful places.
mike wittmer on March 18, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Wow. This story reminds me that it is sometimes difficult to know how responsible we are for our choices–and yet we must assume that we are moral adults who are accountable to God.
My father was raised in an abusive home, and he often says that it is possible with God’s help to turn your life around. We must never use our abuse as an excuse–even when it does explain a lot.
regina franklin on March 20, 2013 at 9:56 pm
Dear Sheridan,
Thank you for giving a voice to all the Jenny’s in the world.