As we end this month of Sexual Abuse Awareness, I offer one final prayer/poem.

“Your Arms of Strength and Love” was birthed in a very vivid dream–one in which I feel quite certain that I encountered God.

It flows from a time of emotional abuse at the hands of an employer.

Fifteen years out from that horrible experience, I am afforded the luxury of  reflection:

• My life/our lives are in constant movement.
• We are beckoned into journey.
• God (however you choose to name the divine) is omni-present but we need to seek.
• My experience of emotional abuse trauma is linked to that of other abuse survivors.

In this spirit, may you or your loved ones know great healing and take comfort that we are held in Arms of Strength and Love:

Desert walking,

sand and wind etch my face;

the heat of day withers my spirit,

the cold at night leaves me in fear.

All around me there is nothing new

until

I glimpse a faraway oasis–

green trees and moist grass

(could it be?)

I’m on my knees, crawling to you

and then you pick me up

and wrap me in your arms of strength and love

and I know you are with me and I with you.

In your arms of strength and love.

I had a dream once

that I was climbing a ladder

and my body was hurt and worn;

my hands were cut and bleeding.

I didn’t think I could climb one more step

when my hands touched your hands

and you pulled me up,

(without the least effort)

and carried me lovingly and gently to my Parent God

and I rested in your arms of strength and love

like a baby

and I knew you were with me and I with you

in your arms of strength and love.

All around me there is fog

and I really can’t say where I should be going

yet each day I feel you at my side,

(or in front of me,

or behind me,)

and you guide my feet just one more step

and I know that as I go along

I will glimpse you through the mist

and you will be waiting to hold me

in your arms of strength and love

and that is all I will need.

your arms of strength and love.

©Nancie Chmielewski updated 4/29/15