by Merita Atherly Engen | Jun 20, 2024 | Restoration from Abuse
Are you a Strong Self-Advocator who leaves or changes undesirable situations without a hitch? You know your limits. You take action and do so with no real fear. When others in an obviously abusive environment can’t do the same, perhaps like me, you’re tempted to wag...
by Merita Atherly Engen | Apr 15, 2022 | Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Culture of Silence, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse
“The tired-er you get, the faster you go,” Dad used to comment when she was eight. Now, at seventy-two, her steps halt as my sister wheels her suitcase down the hall to our lodging at the conference center. JerryAnn isn’t going fast today, but she is going....
by Merita Atherly Engen | Sep 21, 2021 | Breaking through Darkness, Childhood Abuse and Trauma, Identity Restored, Points of Light, Restoration from Abuse
Rose-Marie* stood at the sink washing dishes. By hand. One pan was so dirty it needed special treatment. Like her heart. She knew God loved her, but her ability to love and forgive seemed wretched. How did God’s way work for her? Or anyone? She twitched her head....
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...
