“Out....of.......breath!” Shiloh knew she was in trouble for running away, but she couldn’t turn back. Not now. Not after finally escaping. For the next few hours her angry parents would search for her. But for Shiloh, these next few hours would be her only respite. For these next few hours, for the first time, Shiloh was free.
“Jacksonville Police Department...”
“......let....me....catch....my....breath” Shiloh had
arrived at a friend’s house and knew she didn’t have much time. She took in a big breath and began to
describe what happened to the police. “I
went into a bedroom with my Dad, and I don’t know. He, well, he’s hit my mom and my brother and
me a lot. But he didn’t hit me this
time. I think he, well he put his hands
down my pants.”
“Ma’am, where are you?”
“A friends, I ran away.”
“Well, you need to return home and I’ll send a police man
right away.”
“Oh, okay.” Shiloh
was terrified, and shaken to the core by the thoughts of returning home. It was her prison. Her torture dungeon filled with hatred, fear,
and non-stop anxiety. She was only 12
years old and had already seen more violence than these small town
communities with school shootings. Shiloh returned home to find a police man. She was filled with hope.
Her hope quickly faded.
As Shiloh walked in, her mother said “Where the hell have
you been?!” “Listen officer this girl is
a typical teenager thinking she knows it all, and is looking for attention. Probably having another pity party. Nothing
like that could’ve happened. I know for
a fact her dad didn’t touch her.”
Before Shiloh could speak, the officer was gone. She began
to bolt for her room to hide in shame.
But even her shame filled heart was robbed from her as she felt her neck
slam back. Her dad had grabbed her hair
and pulled her violently to the floor.
He turned her over, as he quickly removed his belt and began to slam his
belt into wherever it would land along the backside of her body. Then he grabbed Shiloh’s hair, yelled “don’t
you ever run away again!” pulled her head back then began to slam her face into
the ground over and over and over. “No
one will ever believe you slut,” he whispered before leaving her limp beaten
body to recover.
Shiloh never knew the love of a dad. Her mother didn’t protect her. She was alone. She was trapped. She had no hope of a rescue.
She
was
broken.
Many years later Shiloh became a mother herself. Her children bring healing every day. They reveal the love she longed for. But, Shiloh knows this is only a reflection
of the love offered through God. Shiloh’s
story is still unfolding. She’s still
searching for the hope, but many years of brokenness aren’t easily overcome. Revolution isn’t easy. God just doesn’t rescue or heal. He gives you a new identity. He makes you whole, and adopts you into his
perfect love. He calls you His child.
Shiloh has a new daddy.
Shiloh has a new heart.
Shiloh is experiencing revolution.
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