by Merita Atherly Engen | Sep 7, 2021 | Creative, Culture of Silence, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse, Shining on God's Character
Compared to others, my family didn’t have much money, but one thing we shared with our community was the Culture of Silence. If something bad or questionable happened, it was all hush-hush or became part of the gossip mill in which I was seldom included. Hard...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Aug 24, 2021 | Breaking through Darkness, Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse
The seed lands in gravel. No one notices. No one cares about the life stored within. It’s on gravel, after all, atop hard-baked ground next to a plain, metal building. Alone. Without worth. Rain on the roof drips from the edge. Softens the seed. Life sprouts....
by Merita Atherly Engen | Aug 10, 2021 | Breaking through Darkness, Childhood Abuse and Trauma, domestic abuse, Joyful, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse, Shining on God's Character
Condensed from guest blogger, Misty Dawn, at Shakam Boqer You can be a safe place. You can be a safe place for the victim. Being a safe place means allowing their feelings and hurt to be fully expressed and regarded as valid in the face of the emotional, verbal and...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jul 27, 2021 | Uncategorized
Guest Blog -Condensed from Misty Dawn’s Blog on Shakam Boqer There’s a cycle of abuse. It’s a cycle that often takes a long time to recognize for the victim, but eventually those who are survivors, who recognize their worth and value, step out of the cycle....
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jul 20, 2021 | Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Healer, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse, Shining on God's Character
I’m pleased to introduce my daughter, Misty Dawn, as my guest for the next few weeks. Her blog, Shakam Boqer (Hebrew for “early in the morning”), is an eclectic gathering of her own deep thoughts centered on finding hope of bright joy after a night of...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jul 6, 2021 | Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Identity Restored, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse
It didn’t matter what she did, it wasn’t good enough. Evangeline let the door slam behind her. Her mop of curls bounced auburn at her forehead. Stones nipped the callouses on her bare feet, but there were no stupid rules along the creek bank. Turtles and tadpoles...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jun 22, 2021 | Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Forgiving, Healer, Points of Light, Relationships, Restoration from Abuse
The woman sits in the front pew, expectant and eager. Her grandchild will be baptized. It’s a time of celebration, but church hadn’t always been so joyful. Most of her early pew-sitting and hymn-singing was nothing but an inner struggle from a lifetime of...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jun 16, 2021 | Breaking through Darkness, Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Healer, Identity Restored, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse, Shining on God's Character
It’s dark on top of our hill out here in the country—miles from any town. Very dark, with no electricity. I love to sleep in total darkness, but I don’t want to live in it. I slip away from my bed and wander outside. I’ve been interacting with survivors of childhood...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jun 1, 2021 | Points of Light
This is the story of one writer’s journey. It’s also a story of one awesome God. Both are mine. God and I birthed this blog seven years ago. The blog grew. It faltered with neglect. I tended it and it blossomed. Fortunately, it never died. Writing a...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Jun 10, 2020 | Points of Light
“Where was God?” A friend shuddered after I shared a few specifics of the story I’m currently writing. As we prepared for a picnic, I spread mayonnaise on two slices of bread then blurted a glib answer. “God can bring good out of evil and He has a purpose for...
