Flower Girl

Redemption of my little girl self

Flower Girl
by Chanda Singleton Griesë

Once upon a time, 
So long ago,

A flower girl
In silken white dress
With puffed sleeves
Rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes
Under the cover of a bonnet,
Carried a basket of rose petals.

She spread her flowers
Along the path
As she headed to the altar.

This delicate flower girl despite
Her white dress, was stained 
With the shame of fear and blame.

My mother’s boyfriend
Abused me
Physically, so I did not cry,
Psychologically, so I did not tell,
Sexually, so I felt things all wrong.

My little girl self
Hid from it all.

She didn’t think it safe
To come out of her hiding place.
Even when the abuse stopped.

After the pain 
Following the death
Of my firstborn son,
I was broken;
Too weak to hide anymore.

This little flower girl,
Hurt so long ago,
Wished to be free,
To be heard,
To be sad,
To be comforted,
To be loved.

Jesus, spoke so gently.
He knocked on the door,
Of my heart
And coaxed me from
My hiding place.

He gave me a safe retreat
To rest, to cry, to tell my story.
He loved me and mended
My broken heart, 
Stitch-by-stitch,
So tenderly.

He covered my shame
With His full acceptance
And grace.

He wept with me
And gave me a new story.

He restored my soul
And delivered me
From all my fears.

He gives me His strength 
To overcome
And He gently leads me
In paths of righteousness.

I am His redeemed bride
Dressed in white,
Pure and lovely,
Safe and sound.