I was talking to a woman today about our childhoods and the pain that could be found there. As we spoke, I was reminded of when my emotional healing of my formative years was complete. I had experiences as a little girl that had left me scarred and broken. I didn’t know how badly I had been affected; that is until I dared to allow myself to go back in my mind’s eye to the little girl that I had once been.
It all started when I was watching a talk show, and the hostess was telling the audience that we could actually go back in our minds and rescue the child of our youth. The thought was frightening, but I was willing to try because I felt that I had abandoned her. I didn’t want anything to do with the little girl who had been Audrey.
I could envision myself as a little girl sitting on a cold and lonely set of stairs. In my imagination I approached my young self. As I came near to the little girl that I had once been, my heart went out to her. I knew her pain. The adult in me bent down and lovingly put my arms around her. I held that child and we both cried.
As we cried, a healing washed over us. The adult in me stood up and offered my hand to my past self. Little Audrey looked up at me with hope and trust in her eyes. “Come with me,” I told her. “We are strong now. We can do this together.”
And little Audrey grabbed a hold of the acceptance that was offered, and together we walked side by side into healing. I am no longer haunted by the feelings that once diminished who I was born to be: a child of the King. And on those days when the child of my youth and I are feeling down and dejected, I reach my hand out to the One who has rescued us: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
Just as I had gone to my inner child and given her a place of hope and belonging, Jesus had come and given me a place of hope and belonging. Without Him, I could never have rescued the child of my youth.
Memory Verse:
“Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy shall be theirs.”
– Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Whenever I am down and lonely, please help me to remember that You love me and will always be there for me. I am grateful for Your presence, Lord. Please be with me when…”
Contributing Writer:
Audrey Semprun
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