By TA York
Growing up in an abusive household followed by foster care distorted my understanding of normalcy. I remember a friend once remarking, “Your life is like a soap opera.” In school, children would cruelly taunt me with statements like, “Your parents don’t love you.”
As I matured, I developed resentment toward my abnormal childhood, frequently questioning God about my circumstances.
For those who have experienced similar childhood struggles, I’d like to share some perspective I’ve gained:
Biblical Foundations
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a gift from Him.”
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The first scripture reveals our true identity in Christ. Every person who has ever been a child—all of humanity—is viewed by God as a precious gift, beautiful and wonderful.
Satan vehemently opposes this truth. His strategy involves disrupting our lives with dysfunction and trauma. By derailing us early in life, he accomplishes his destructive mission: stealing our inherent beauty, killing our hope, and attempting to destroy our future.
The Breakdown of Family Structure
His tactics often begin with our parents. Traditionally, mothers provided stability, nurturing, and safety for children. However, contemporary culture frequently portrays women embracing disorder, selfishness, and worldly attachments rather than godly values and family commitment—patterns that some unfortunately emulate.
Similarly, fathers once exemplified strength, responsibility, and resilience. Today’s cultural messaging often promotes an “independent man” narrative that rejects accountability. This distorted thinking leads some men to believe they have an “understanding” with God that tolerates sinful behavior. The abandonment of pregnant partners creates fatherless households, perpetuating cycles of dysfunction.
Breaking the Cycle
I recognize now that my childhood abuse stemmed from parents who hadn’t embraced Christ’s teachings. The cruel taunting I endured came from children whose parents hadn’t instructed them in Christ’s ways.
In raising my own children according to Christian principles, I’ve made it a priority to express love and appreciation regularly. While we still face challenges, they pale in comparison to the traumas of my childhood.
A Message of Hope
To all who carry childhood wounds: You are genuinely a gift from God.
Turn toward Him rather than away. Parents, embrace repentance and witness the transformation that follows when you model Christ—the way, the truth, and the life.
May God bless you on this journey of healing and restoration.
Called 4 Jesus 