Two years ago today I chose to launch Our Stories Untold, a blog with the mission to collect stories of sexualized violence in the Mennonite Church, drawing awareness to this epidemic of violence that is happening all around us, to give a voice to the marginalized, and to bring spiritual healing to those who have been unfairly pushed out. Those around me did not necessarily accept this choice. This choice meant exposing myself in ways that I did not feel completely comfortable with. But most importantly, this choice was mine. Choice. We all have it, even in the situations that feel choice-less. It’s extremely easy to take the victim mentality, to become the martyr of circumstance. When I first began therapy in October 2011, I learned it was up to me to choose how I wanted to respond to my life, including my childhood abuse. Yes, “uncontrollable” things happened and continue to happen to me. Friendships end, not by my desire. Relationships change, not by my desire. People die, not by my desire. My parent’s sell the family home, not by my desire. But by claiming my choice in each of these circumstances, I become proactive in my life. I […]
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