Heroes For A Day

My huband Joseph and I adopted three half-sisters from foster care 7 years ago. They had been horribly abused. Abject pedophiles had access to them…two men, from what we can tell. One, due to our efforts was sentenced to ten years in prison.

The two oldest girls were the sexually abused ones. The little one was physically abused and went hungry a lot, but was not sexually abused. And she’s the one of the three who’s making it.

The oldest is in Manhattan somewhere. She phones now and then. She’s selling her body in the sex trade and pedling drugs on the side.

The middle one just took off with some guy she met on Facebook. She’s left a few phone messages. We don’t have a clue where she is. She’s been gone five days, going into the sixth day.

Funny thing is, I wrote a manuscript four years ago about a girl who is found murdered not far from where we live by a man she met online. I’d been getting it ready for submission when my daughter ran off. Life can mirror fiction, just as fiction can mirror life.

I’ve been very affected by the 9/11 anniversary this year. I’ve played a number of the songs from the Concert For New York City — in 2001 just after the terrorist attack.

I find myself playing David Bowie’s Heroes, from that concert. It resonates with me in my own personal hell. I want to swim like the dolphins swim. I want to be free like the dolphins, and yet I am chained to the computer combing Facebook, looking for anyone who might know where my daughter is.

My husband and I were heroes for a day, adopting them, having dreams for them…and then the evil of the world consumed them again…swallowed them.

I write of this evil in my Christian crime fiction novels…for which I’m seeking a publisher. I tell stories of  the evil consuming children, devouring them while so many of us are playing at church. We’re so pioulsy polite, and the enemy, the destroyer is glad we are…as we’re largely ineffectual against him.

We’re afraid to touch the girl in the sex trade and if we won’t touch her, how can we give her a hand up and out? We don’t understand when she rejects us and the wonderful Christian life we offer…and runs back to hell. And it’s hell on earth. It’s all too easy for us to heap judgement upon her.

The old addage, hate the sin/love the sinner, is all too true. We must hate the life she’s run back to, and yet somehow try to communicate to her how worthwhile she is.

To see the David Bowie music video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdo5f_ozf6E

A Mother By Any Name Is Still A Mother

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, aunts who have acted as mothers.

Mothering has always been a difficult job, and in these times when parental authority is being eroded on all side, it seems almost impossible. Yet, today’s mothers and mother surrogates prevail against impossibly high odds. I salute you!!! 

As an adoptive mother I want to wish all adoptive mothers a special blessing. Adoption is not an easy road. The process and red-tape paper work alone is daunting and invasive.

To all grandmothers and aunts in the mothering role, as well as foster mothers…when the angry child lashes out and shouts at you, “You’re not my mother,” — I send my prayers of blessing your way.

May you feel sunshine in your day when your child or children smile at you with appreciation for the sacrifice you have made for them, for mothering is sacrificial love.

Dogone-it Get Hopeful About Something!!!

There seems to be such a general feeling of malaise in the nation. It’s as if there’s been a cultural shift toward negativity. No wonder everyone feels depressed.

What we need is to get hopeful on purpose. Whoa, that sounds a lot like having faith.

FAITH. Having faith?

Yes, that’s exactly it. It takes faith that things are going to work together for good to get rid of most forms of depression. So why not try a little faith?

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 ~  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

The New York Times article, “Drugs May Only Help Severe Depression,” points out that exercise, reading about depression, going to a doctor, or psychotherapy tend to be as effective with mild to moderate forms of depression as antidepressants. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/health/views/06depress.html?scp=2&sq=ssri&st=cse

Charles Barber, author of the book Comfortably Numb: How Psychiatry Is Medicating a Nation told the CBS Morning Show that fish oil actually may relieve mild depression.

Why not try a shift in attidude and perception? Get out of that slump!!! Look upward!!!

Get you some faith!!!

Do it on purpose. Why not try RADICAL HOPE!!!

I’m NOT advising patients with severe depression to throw their meds out. No way!!! But even with severe depression, faith can only help. Try faith, you’ll like it.

Devotions For Dude & Dudettes

Too Pooped To Pop: Lord there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. Are you sure that old addage is right? Because it sure seems as if I’ve got more on my plate than I can handle.

I can’t seem to cram everything into the twenty-four hours You’ve given. What with the household stuff, the homeschooling, the writing, writing, writing.

And I feel I don’t make enough time for You Lord. Still I know You are in the midst of it with me.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [Isaiah 40:29]

Shed A Few Pounds: OK, so the doctor said perhaps I should loos the weight I gained since Thanksgiving. I know I’m a spirit first and I have a body. So, Lord, maybe I can get my spirit to lose the weight? Just kidding.  Lord, help me increase my activity and eat the right foods, in the right amounts.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, yur works are wonderful, I know that full well. [Psalms 130:14]

I Luv You, Followers, Subscrbers & Friends

As we go into Febuary, the traditional month of romance, fidelity, and love, I want to let the subscribers, followers, friends, and lurkers here at Crime Fiction And Faith how much I care for you, how much you are in my prayers.

I just luv you guys…and gals.

Kisses and hugs to you all!!!