Advent in Rehab

Advent in rehab, Christmas day with strangers weening off together. She requested books, ones that might help bring healing. Books that might invite continued surrender. This Lovely Village Neighbor, she is one of the smartest people I have ever met and also one of the “most” wounded.

How do you categorize the trauma? I know smarter people than myself have categories assigned to wounds determining which ones hurt the most and leave the most wreckage. One of those indicators is how early the wounding began.

She was so little, so worthy of good parents and care, so valuable. But she was left alone, abandoned, and the youngest of all when the s*xual trauma began. This is the wound that fueled both the appetite for power, status and motherhood; but also is the wound that drives her addiction.

Which books do I pull from the shelf? Not for her to gobble up for gluttony’s sake, there’s no tackling healing quickly.

But here, these will do.

I encouraged her to spread these out, ponder them, lay a hand on it and feel it out asking the Spirit to lead her toward the right one at the right time. Each like a blanket bearing a different weight. Some books a throw blanket, some a down comforter, others a heavy quilt made by ancient hands gifting a legacy.

This Christmas would you remember her with me? Remember the weary and wounded. This is the point of Advent.

Light a candle, give a gift, and watch joy expand in your heart.

For Her, Emily