this is not how I wanted you to find out

I turn away from my computer in disgust, sick to my very soul of watching professing Christians defending the indefensible.

I watch Godly women standing up to lead the charge because the men are too cowardly to stand for truth or too proud to admit they have been worshiping at a false idol. I cannot find words blistering enough for the condemnation I feel as their continued silence--or worse, defense--screams the truth: they do not care. They never have.

And I gently ask a question of my growing son, who has become politically aware during the most disgusting and disastrous election ever in the history of our country: what did you hear at school today?

I do not say it in these words, but what I mean is: did you hear people defending the behavior and bragging of a serial sexual predator? Did you hear people making jokes about sexual assault, or excusing it as "locker room" talk? What new depths of depravity did you see today in the newspaper you read for Current Events class?

What words, my only son, do I need to explain are never used by REAL men?

What phrases, child of my heart, do I need to enlighten you would never be tolerated in the hearing of a TRUE man?

What horrific abuses of authority, breath-taking bounds-overstepping, cruel twisting of God's Word do I need to correct before they are absorbed into your precious mind and heart?

What I want to ask is, did you hear our friends and even our own families throw their own mothers, sisters, daughters under the bus?

Because that's what they're doing, when they explain or laugh away what this person has done and no doubt continues to do. That men would do it does not surprise me. That women would do it makes me weep.

What I want to ask is, do you how many people slapped your mother across the face today with a meme or article?

One in 6 of the women they meet have been attacked, molested, abused at least once in their lives. You will never know which ones are wounded and which are not. But you know ME. And you just showed how incredibly little I matter to you.

My precious son. This is not how I wanted you to find out.

We just had the birds and the bees talk a couple of months ago, and amidst all the wonder and beauty of the human body and God's plan for marriage and the miracle of reproduction, I already have to tell you how man has corrupted it? I already have to share how far our country has fallen that gross indecency like this is not only tolerated but lauded? Excused, by good friends and beloved family members, by professing Christians, men and women in positions of authority, that I have taught you to respect?

You knew about abortion before you knew how babies are born. You knew about gay marriage before you knew what a honeymoon was. This is the corrupted, sinful world we live in. But you did not, yet, know about the wickedness that can steal innocence from a child or security from a woman in a particularly heinous way. You did not, yet, know such a vile and disgusting person could ever be put within spitting distance of the presidency of the United States of America. And you did not, yet, dream that men of God we once held in respect would stand by in pitiful silence or even support such wickedness.

My heart quails within me at the thought of this conversation. I'd rather write a hundred blog articles on sexual abuse, safely sent to strangers out in cyberspace, than speak the story aloud to my own child. This is one of the hardest things I have ever done. But because silence enables the victimization to go on and on, I will stand up with my head held high and tell the truth.

Someone who thought he was entitled to my body took it by force, and I have never been the same.

My boy will have a choice the next time he hears someone make the joke or excuse the behavior. Will he speak up and condemn it, or will he toe the line and stay uncomfortably silent. I hope to God he makes the right choice.

I hope he makes it for his own sister's sake, for his precious someday spouse, for his own future children.

I hope he makes it for me.

Comments

[Kristine John]

I have goosebumps. My goodness Lyssa, what in the world are we teaching our children if not to truly take a stand against such filth and such a base mentality? You call each of us to stand up...speak the words that shouldn't have to be spoken, and teach lessons we never thought we'd be teaching to our youth. THIS is how we can stand, despite the world we are surrounded by...THIS is our call to action.

[Kristin Chowanec]

YES! I too am disgusted by the words spoken by a man who wants to lead our country. I too have been victimized by a man who thought he had the "right". Brushing this off as "men will be men" is not okay. It says that this behavior can continue, but it must stop. Thank you my friend for teaching your son to be a true man of God. Thank you!

[Britiney]

This is so powerful, Lyssa. Thank you for sharing. Our faith can only be in God. <3