Wendy's journey through childhood did not begin in a peaceful and secure environment. As far back as she can remember, if she wasn't creating some sense of security for herself, there was none.

At age thirteen she accepted a classmates' invitation to church, hoping to fit in. The small, family environment invoked feelings of security among authority figures--a first. Within weeks she accepted Christ as her Savior and experienced peace for the first time, though her circumstances at home didn't change.

A year later, her sense of security and peace unraveled.

Wendy, like many others, was deeply wounded in church. Too young to separate the actions of fallible man from the unfailing love of God, she resolved that she wanted no part of Christianity. She went back to being godless--where at least she knew what to expect. She vowed never to speak to Jesus again.

Twenty-three years later, she was the poster-child for hopelessness. Wounded from years of sexual abuse and devastated by the choices she made in the aftermath, she was at last too weary to hate; too weak to point a finger. She broke her vow of silence and said the J word.

Jesus . . . who are You? Never mind what I've been shown. I need You to show me who You are. And who was I supposed to be before thousands of unwanted touches?

Peace over took her. She was not alone. Wendy's prayer marked the beginning of a passionate relationship with Christ. Some days she studied the Bible. Other days she threw it across the room. Jesus loved her the same each day.

Wendy learned valuable lessons as she healed. She learned that heartbreaking circumstances couldn't overshadow the redeeming love of God. That it's okay to be mad at God--He's big and He can take it. And that more often than not, healing is a slow and steady climb. But she wouldn't change that if she could. In the midst of her journey she discovered how beautifully her hand fits in her Saviors'.

Wendy has a message for women bound to perpetual heartache: He never minimizes the circumstances that break our hearts. We do, when we deny Him access to the pain.

Her story, The Jonah Chronicles, is a candid re-telling of her fight for freedom from the effects of abuse, betrayal, and religious rejection.

Wendy lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband, twelve-year-old son, and two very spoiled Labrador Retrievers. She also has two grown sons who are easily lured by home-cooked meals.

"Wendy's story is for anyone who has ever been abused, betrayed, rejected, or neglected. Walk through Wendy's journey and awaken to truth . . . you are not alone and you are seen by God, even in your darkest moment you are seen.

Have you been sexually, physically, or verbally abused? Have you been rejected by the church, family, or peers? Read The Jonah Chronicles and open your eyes to see others as God sees them--not just the outer rebellious shell, rather the hurting child inside. Thankfully, God never gives up on us, even when everyone else does!"

Victorya Rogers [Author, Speaker, Life Coach] Southlake, Texas