ANGELICTESTIMONY
ShELIA hAIL INNOCENCE
"MY INNOCENCE MAY HAVE BEEN ABRUPTLY TAKEN, YET MY HEART AND MIND HAVE BEEN RESTORED. THE DEEPEST YEARN FOR MY HEART IS TO NOW PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN AROUND ME. THROUGH EDUCATION, CONSTANT COMMUNICATION, AND UNCEASING PRAYER" Our innocence can be quickly taken from us in the blink of an eye. Innocence is one of the sweetest things to experience and watch in our children. Seeing through their eyes the wonder of this world that is viewed with the depth of purity and joy, with no distortion to film their view is truly a gift. For many of us, our innocence might have been stolen from us at the youngest of ages. My lens was abruptly changed when I was 8yrs old. Unknowingly my world changed, and my adolescent mind and heart weren’t ready to process the impact of the unwanted assault. College. My heart and mind were in a place ready to begin their healing process. I believe that God in His graciousness knew the timing of when I needed to begin to unpack my brokenness and also the amount, it began Junior year. Through my dear mentors who were gifted and educated in counseling walked me through the beginning of healing. First step, was the renewing of my image of my purity and worth. The purity of innocence was being restored. Marriage. One of the deepest ways God can use to unveil the deepest layers. Images of my assault and the aftermath replayed through my mind. Terrifying me and shaming me. I googled, “how do you know if you need counseling?” The answer was in my search engine, it was time to heal continue my healing. Processing through who I was, my identity and Christ was sealed through prayer sessions of counseling, literally stepping my way to freedom. The Lord released me of these images allowing me to step forward in strength. My freedom of sin and moral wrong done was renewed. My innocence may have been abruptly taken, yet my heart and mind have been restored. The deepest yearn for my heart is to now protect my children and the children around me. Through education, constant communication, and unceasing prayer I pray they will live in a world of innocence. Educated, yet joyfully innocent. Knowledge and education of how to protect our bodies, our minds and hearts is one of the strongest tools we have to protect our growing families. Choosing to reach for help is the best place to start for healing for yourself, and to help protect the innocent around us. In the end, we are made righteous, we are made pure. No sin cast upon us can triumph over us. No man or woman can rule our identity or future. Our truth and purity, and innocence is held within the caring hands of the Lord. He never wanted you, or me to feel the pains we’ve felt. Jesus however so desires to mend these wounds and bring healing and restoration to the design of wholeness He set forth in the beginning. Pure innocence and the deep joy of living with no distortions.