In light of the “Broken” series we are doing at the church, I’ve done a lot of thinking and praying about my life and a significant event that caused brokenness in me and my family. Through much prayer, I have decided to share it in hopes that others might relate or see me in a different light. I am not ashamed of my story in any way. It has made me who I am. It has caused me to understand human behavior in a different way. It has caused me to listen, and make the time to listen, to God’s call for my life. I have come out the other side a more loving, devoted follower of Christ. Here it is…
In 1997, my brother, who is younger than me by 2 1/2 years, was babysitting his girlfriend’s baby. Something happened medically to cause her to have a stroke. My brother called 911. During the events that unfolded that day and night, he was arrested for child abuse. I cannot describe the days following this because my family and I were in total shock and exhausted. The child was in the ICU for several days and recovered and went to re-hab. The girlfriend was investigated by CPS and had a trial and lost custody of her child. My family, and our church family, did what we could to protect and support my brother. We trusted the judicial system to see the truth, that my brother was innocent, and his criminal trial would be behind us. Several years past between the incident and the trial. His trial was in 1999, at the height of the “shaken-baby” scare. He was found guilty and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The child recovered and is a healthy teenager today. He has been in prison for 11 years. He was 22 when he went in.
My world shattered. When all of this happened, I was working at a law firm, going about my everyday, sheltered life. I believed in the judicial system. I watched “Law and Order” thinking the police and courtroom worked just like that and got the bad guys every time. I was angry at God. I went to church my whole life! My family was a good Christian family who loved everyone and did good. How could He let something happen like this? How could He allow my life to be ruined? How could he allow so much pain for my parents and me? Now, I know God was sad with us. He did not want us to hurt. We were blessed with a church family who was by our side every step of the way. God did that. His love was so strong in them they did not abandon us. They raised money for my brother’s defense. They made food. They prayed. They cried with us. They held us. They got us through. In all my pain, all I could do was turn to God. I had no other way to get through. I felt His presence more and more. I cried all the time, I still do. I ache for my brother in my life. I miss him.
But good has risen from the ashes. Since all of this, my family and I have become stronger Christians and have gotten involved in the system. My mother has started a new ministry called Storybook, where they go into prisons and help parents read books to their children on tapes that are sent, with the book, to the child. My dad was on the board of Texas Inmates Families Association. He has met and talked with many prison and state officials about prison reform and humane treatment of incarcerated people. They both still run a support group for family members of incarcerated people. We all continue to support my brother.
Through all of this, my brother has shown his true strength and love of God. He has remained faithful and trusted that the truth will set him free. He attended Kairos at his unit. He has led several “check-in” type groups. He attends school and work everyday. He has held his head up and has set an example for others. Amazingly, he continues to have dreams and goals for his life. He has not given up on himself or God. His life is a true testament to me and my family of God’s grace in hard times.
I heard and obeyed God’s call to ministry through all this. I have been in prisons, to visit and minister. God has shown me the pain and disappointment families go through with a loved one in prison. I have lived through it and come out the other side glorifying God’s name. It was not all easy. It still isn’t. But I know I survived the worst in my life with God by my side. I would never want to go it alone.
Blessings.
I love you girl. More now than ever. Nothing more to say. Just love.
Thanks, Libby! I love you too.
God shows his love in many ways. As you and your family do also.
I love you. You are so feeled with love. And yes I love Andrew you both have the same blood as me!
Your mother wrote a thank you note to the church that said we were Jesus to you all….I think you all were Jesus to us.
I pray everyday for Andrew and I just wish he could come home.
Thank you for sharing this.
Love you,
Carol
Thank you, Carol. It’s going to be an amazing day when that happens. We pray for it everyday.
Okay, now your passion and patience makes even more sense! Truly God had / has even bigger things in mind when this happened. I feel blessed to think of how many lives you, your brother and parents have witnessed to and touched by your amazing faith in God through this human trial of life.
An amazing Story of an Over-Coming Faith — You are precious to all of us. This pain you bear — makes you a very caring and compassionate woman of God. I do pray for Favor for you brother to walk out a free man very soon. Thanks for a brokeness — that helps all of us heal just knowing you.
Blessing –
Brenda
Amy, I cried…your family has endured such pain! But God’s love has enabled you as a family to go on with life doing positive things, getting involved to support others suffering similar things, and always being there for Andrew……even Andrew has kept faith and goes forward with courage, hopes and plans. Your family’s story is inspirational…despair did not defeat you. I pray that Andrew will soon be a free man, and I thank God for walking with all you through this. Love to all of you.