One of the singular challenges of recovering from a childhood in which your emotional needs weren’t met is identifying the damage. I know that sounds hugely counter-intuitive, but it’s true; it’s complicated by the fact that you can’t heal a wound you can’t see.
So how do we make the hidden wounds become visible to a resident that is in need of true inner change? We address the behaviors, then search for the memory behind it. “Timelines” at Acres of Hope is a process in which residents share with peers, staff, and their chosen guests, the story of their lives. In order to do a timeline each resident must take the time to step back and do a full reflection on their lives. They look at where they have been. Then they process where they want to go, and what it will take to achieve their goals. Yet something so vital happens as each mother processes her life, she begins to see patterns of behaviors and habits that reveal some of the paths of dysfunction she herself has remained in or began to live out.
Most of the behaviors learned began in childhood. As she grows in the program and does the hard work to renew her life, it becomes clear what behaviors, thought patterns, and core beliefs need to be removed. Unlike the physical scars that remain and are visible before our eyes, pain hidden has been endured by the residents and are the inner wounds that are all too often the root issue. For the things that remain hidden to us, are the things that can destroy us. The memories or traumas unaddressed may remain stored within our beings without the realization of why the month of May for a mother may be hard. The lack of addressing the passing of a loved one to addiction. A vacuum cleaner being used causes anxiety because a childhood abuser could strike during a moment when hearing wasn’t clear. When a resident gets angered by another peer’s tears, the recognition of the tears that she once cried brought forth frustration from a guardian. Getting to the roots of wounds, and identifying the damage it has caused, is vital to walking in true transformation and healing.
Even more so is the power of God working in the lives of the women - renewing them from the inside out. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”. The thing that sets Acres of Hope apart in breaking the cycle of homelessness is the power of God at work, truly shining his light into the heart of our residents, and bringing the revelation that produces healing. Through the truth of God’s word, the fervent prayers of many, and the willing steps forward of our residents, they are identifying the damage, and healing the wounds that as a society we originally could not see. Due to this process Acres of Hope has become the last program they will ever need. The cycle of homelessness and the roots that cause it, broken.
Would you like to join us in providing the opportunity for more wounds to be healed and lives transformed? You can donate today and help mothers and their children change their lives, and impact the lives that will come through the ones currently doing the hard work of renewal.
Visit: acresofhopeonline.org and change the trajectory of our future generations.