11/10/10 Raped. Violated. Hurt. Pained. Hopeless. Helpless. Suicidal.

How could she not feel so, Lord?

Sharee spilled out the story, “I got in a car because a guy said he would pay me. Once he was on me, he said he wasn’t gonna pay me. So I told him I had AIDS, and he kicked me out of the car. I was walking down the street when a guy grabbed me, dragged me off into an alley, stripped me, made me do things to him, and then he raped me.”

Sharee stopped abruptly, looked at me with a deep pain that I see only rarely, and then, the tears fell like a waterfall. It went on for some time.

“I started begging people to give me change this morning so I could get to River City. I knew I had to get here because it’s the only place I know to go. I want to kill myself because of what he did to me. If I couldn’t get to River City this morning, I would’ve jumped in front of the first car that came by.”

“Why were you on the street, Sharee?” I asked. She didn’t blink, “Because of my drinking. I got to make money to drink, and I need to drink to do the prostitute thing. I want out, off these streets, but I don’t know how,” head hanging low.

“We can and will help you, Sharee. Can I ask, do you want to be right with your God? It’s the place to start.” I asked.

“I know, and I want to talk about it, but how can I get right God when I know He’s punishing me for what I been doing?” she cried.

“Oh no, Sharee, God doesn’t want to punish you. He wants to help you out of this. Don’t you think we often punish ourselves by doing the things we choose to do?” I said quietly.

In a whisper, “Yes. I want my life right with God. Will you help me?”

“Yes I will. God is waiting to help you. Now. Part of that is getting you help with what happened to you last night. So, how can I help you with that right now?” I asked.

“Just be my friend,” Sharee said with tears dripping.

I called our social worker Crystal, who now has Sharee going to Baptist Hospital for med help and detox to start on the drinking problem. It’s the place to start with You Lord. Come to Sharee’s aid. Sharee is on the right road. And Sharee, has friends.

But you, Lord, be not far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:19, NIV