She was only five years old when it started. Two teenage brothers came to her babysitter’s house and offered to take her for a while. Mary went with them, an innocent lamb.
They took her to forests, to ravines, to their own bedroom. They took her again and again. They took her innocence and scarred her soul.
But the story does not end there.
Mary survived those episodes, along with the pain of rejection, poverty, and dealing with her parents’ addictions. She bravely tells of the redemption she found, and is finding, in Jesus. She tells her story not to be dramatic or sensational, but to help others heal.
I became acquainted with Mary at a writer’s conference years ago. Since then, she has penned over twenty books. This newest one is called Not Marked: Finding Hope and Healing After Sexual Abuse.
So why write about such a difficult topic? Why bring up such ugliness?
- Because one out of every three women, and one out of
every six boys, is sexually abused by age eighteen.
- Because this sin deeply wounds God’s innocent image-bearers and cannot be ignored.
- Because shame, silence, and secrecy keep victims from healing.
- Because sexual abuse can lead to many emotional and practical difficulties, both for the victim and for those around them.
- Because this issue affects all of us on some level.
Where there is no acknowledgement of the problem, there is no healing for the silently suffering victim. Sin always thrives in darkness and secrecy.
That’s why Not Marked is so important.
Mary’s book is like a safe, friendly hand reaching out to someone lost in the dark. She leads the reader along a path of healing by means of sharing her story and then explaining practical ways other survivors can walk toward wholeness.
You won’t find platitudes or cheap, easy answers in Not Marked.
But Mary’s courage and insight, together with nuggets of wisdom from her husband, will help many people come out of the dark of despair and find joy again.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, or you love someone who has, Not Marked is for you. (Find it at Amazon in paperback, Kindle or Nook versions.)
May shame be washed away, may dignity be restored, and may despair give way to hope for you or your loved one.
