More than Music Inc. Newsletter

As More than Music prepares to help Breaking Free, with the goal of raising $30,000 for their program through the April 23rd Bebo Norman Concert, I recall a foreshadowing that occurred some eleven years ago now.

Let me first inform you that for 13 years, Breaking Free has helped victims "break free" from a life of sex-trafficking and prostitution; giving each woman and her children an opportunity to have victory over the abuse, pain and suffering of the past and hope for a bright future. By providing the tools needed to heal spiritually, emotionally, and physically from the dynamics of repeated abuse, many lives have been transformed. We, at More than Music are overjoyed to be partnering with this worthy ministry to promote their cause and fund this effort.

Now - Flashback. Eleven years ago. I was working as a waitress at The Malt Shop, a great, little, burger dive in St. Paul, MN - right on Snelling Ave. That day I was fasting and praying to God. I was so met by His Spirit that the whole day at work I felt like I was just floating along, caught up in His grace and beauty. Once my shift was over, I began to drive the short four-block commute to the apartment that I shared with my then young son, Trevor. About half way my face turned and I saw a woman shuffling down the road with downcast eyes and emptiness etched into every line of her face. She looked up and saw me, still caught up in God's presence, with His love reflected on my face as I drove past her. Her Spirit leapt, her eyes brightened and she lifted her hand as if to reach out to me. I felt God tell me to stop.

I argued with Him for the next two blocks. I debated whether I had really heard from God or was just imagining things. Finally, as I sat in the parking lot, I realized by my hesitation that I clearly felt awkward about stopping; given that, most likely the impulse to stop wasn't from me. I couldn't shake it anyway so away I went in my car to find the woman.

I did finally find her; across University, about five blocks from where she had been. She recognized me and slowed to talk as I parked and got out of my car. I told her that I stopped because I felt a kindred-ness in the glance we shared and that God wants her to know how very much He loves her. I told her that God wants her.

I was already in tears just giving voice to the heart of God beating inside me. She said she had felt something different and saw something she thought she recognized in my eyes. I asked her if she knew Jesus. She began to cry and said that she once had. She told me a devastating story then of loss, and pain, bondage, fear, drug abuse, and finally prostitution. There were visible bruises on her face and some of her teeth had been knocked out. She told me her pimp/boyfriend had done that. She was probably only 33 or so. You could see that at one time she had been a very beautiful girl, but life had been unkind to her.

She finally said in tears "God wouldn't want me!"

I spoke to her then about God's great love, about Jesus and God's heart towards her. I told her that He didn't want all that pain and abuse she had suffered at the hands of those who had chosen to reject Him, but that He could still use every bit of it for something good if she would let Him. I told her I was willing to take her to safety right then and there and that I knew of a great shelter that could help her find a new way of living. She was listening but not sure she was ready to trust.

Her pimp arrived. He was visibly upset by my presence. She went back to the downcast posture she had worn when first I saw her. I spoke to him. I offered them both help now. I told the man of God's love and purpose for him. He didn't want to hear it. He yelled, threatened and cussed at me. I listened, then continued. He finally began to drag her away. I ran alongside for a ways imploring them to do different. Speaking of their intrinsic value.

I finally stopped and called out, "Think about it!"

I saw her turn her face towards me once again as he pulled her along, and there I saw it in the corner of her heart - she thought: "Maybe God wants me yet." She believed. If only for a moment - she believed.

I wrote a song about her some six years later. It just poured from my pen. I pray for her still. She is meant to be a powerful, beautiful witness of God's great love! This ministry - Breaking Free - helps women in situations just like that.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity all these years later to do something to help that woman...by God's grace - let it be.