ROOTED RENEGADE

I have been thinking for a while about how many people refer to us survivor’s as broken and shattered. How we are viewed as insignificant or that we need stitching or gluing back together by individuals with good hearts but lack of education and experience. The rose colored glasses are still on because in an effort to help, judgement still takes place.

This is what I call the “Glass Vase Effect”. All too often people who have never been intimately affected by human trafficking, addiction, childhood sexual trauma, etc automatically label those who have as these irreparable individuals who are just in such dire need of a fixing. What they fail to realize is that we are not glass vases, like the one pictured above. We may have broken pieces that need mending, but we are not broken and shattered. Our lives have had trauma and we need guidance on how to overcome the trauma. We need a Savior! Not someone who looks at us like we have fallen on the floor and smashed into a bunch of pieces and need fixing. We need healing.

So many times I see people try to “fix” others. I myself used to want to fix those in my life and it didn’t work. Why? Because it is not my job for one and two I am not Christ! They are not in need of fixing they are in need of mending, one step at a time through the grace of a Holy Father. Not the work of man who thinks that labeling them is going to give them the desire to want to change. We are but vessels to be used by God to carry the message of the gospel and to steer those who are hurting towards Christ so they can experience healing. Those of us who have survived the darkest trenches are to lift those out of the same ones we came out of without judgement, without labels, but with the love of Christ. Not making them feel like they are too broken and cannot be repaired. We must not set them up for failure before their feet set on the path to freedom.

Each of us has broken parts. Each of us needs glue from time to time. We are all still individuals, people, with a purpose and a calling from the Most High King! I for one am not a glass vase shattered on the floor of life to lay there still until someone sweeps me up and tosses me in the trash to be forgotten about. I will rise above for Yahweh sees me as a masterpiece that he works on daily, not a lump of glass in the floor.

Psalm 137:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Survivor’s are warriors! Something that is truly broken is beyond repair. It cannot pick itself up out of the floor and glue itself back together. The survivor’s that get labeled broken and shattered are the very ones that figured out how to escape and reach out for help despite having all the odds stacked against them. The very ones who despite being addicted to many things had enough courage inside of them to seek help so they could change their lives. The very men, women, and children who get up every single day and despite the labels, despite the judgments, despite so many things against them, fight day after day for their freedom completely. To me that is not broken and shattered…that is the greatest strength anyone could have.

I for one am a beautiful vase, restored by my Father in Heaven, who sees me as a Daughter, Redeemed, Uncommon, and I arise Blessed knowing that I survived what was meant to overtake me so I could reach for those still suffering and show them His love. I am not broken and shattered….

I am beautiful…

Day 23…”Off the Grid”