Everyone has a story to tell. When we make the connection between our story and God's great story, we come away with HIStory, which involves each and every one of us.
The outrage from this story has been real and so very palpable. I’ve read letters written to “sons” and to the father of the assailant. And so I want to address Brock Turner in this letter and all those who have “taken” without remorse. A letter to Brock Turner… I’m certain that by now the shame and guilt has settled. The anger we have all felt towards you has certainly reached your heart and soul. While for a moment I believed you are somebody incapable of empathy and understanding, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that now that you have had time to think through your actions on your own, you have come to feel the deep sorrow and devastation that you caused on an innocent woman. I pray that you fully comprehend the consequences of your “20 minutes of action” that were indeed 20 minutes of horror and counting for Emily Doe. So I want to meet you where you are at this very moment. In the muck that you find yourself in. I’m certain the scent is unbearable and the taste that much more repulsive. I’m certain you want to wake up from this nightmare and head back to your previous life. I’m certain you would do anything to make this a possibility. While that is not a possibility, I want to shed some light on what is more than possible; a choice you can make at this point in your life. Something only you can give after all the taking you’ve done. And that is... apologize. It does not sound like those advising you are doing a very good job of asking of you what is required in a situation like this. So I want to plead with your conscience, with that part of you that knows you have done something irrevocable. You can not right your wrong, ever, but you can most certainly examine yourself, your heart, your actions and pray to the God who sees you and knows you and who made you and ask Him to give you a repentant heart. A heart that will understand the gravity of your actions and your subsequent actions that have continued to cause pain. Your victim will never forget that moment, that devastating violation of her body, her heart, her soul and her life. But she can begin the process of healing - something you can give back to her by saying these simple, yet profound words. I’m sorry. Acknowledge your wrongdoing. Accept your culpability. Dig deep within and feel the hurt and pain you have caused. And mean these simple, yet profound words. I’m sorry. Let Him break through your heart and soul.
1 Comment
Valerie Dickeson
6/14/2016 10:32:32 am
Brock Turner has already made it very clear that he is sorry in his 11 page letter. Have you read it? If that is not a sorry than I don't know what could be.
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Damaris U. Avila lives with her loving husband and their two inquisitive and sweet girls. Through personal storytelling, she invites women to share and see themselves in God's story. She leads young girls through BeYOUtiful Girl Time, a sisterhood where girls are encouraged to become the women God designed them to be.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
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