Lily’s mum dragged her towards the
dressing table, her hands firmly on Lily’s
shoulders. They stood in silence, staring
at their reflections.
“Tell me, Lily, what do you see?” her
m u m a s k e d , b r e a k i n g t h e
silence.“Nothing, Mum. Nothing,” Lily
replied. “Look closely, Lily. What do you
see?” her mum urged.
Lily gazed deeper, tears streaming down
her face. “I see a broken woman, a
lifeless vessel. A woman damaged
beyond repair, with nothing to offer.”
Her mum stood speechless, shaking her
head as tears dropped from her eyes. For
the first time in 25 years, Lily saw herself as nothing.
“Lily, her mother whispered, “I know
you’ve been through hell. It’s not easy,
but you need to find peace. Let God heal
and mend your brokenness.”
“How, Mum? How can I start again? My
brokenness can’t be fixed. Just leave
me…let me be.” Lily turned away from
the mirror, repulsed by her reflection.
” B ut . . . ” ” B ut w ha t , M um? ” L i l y
interrupted. “How can I be whole again? Is it that easy?
I was raped by a stranger, Mum.
He defiled me, broke me, but I’m
still standing. I found hope in my
pregnancy…but now it’s gone.
Mum, I los t my child. H er
mother’s voice faded, unable to
respond. Lily’s mother wrapped
her in a warm hug, holding her
close. We’ll face this together,
Lily. We’ll find a way to heal.
Lily’s tears slowed, and she
looked up at her mother ‘s
reflection. For the first time, she
saw a glimmer of hope. “You’re
not alone, Lily,” her mother
whispered. “We’ll get through
this together. You’re strong, and
you’re loved. Lily’s grip on her
mother’s arms tightened.
“I’m scared, Mum”. “I know, baby.
But God is with us. He’ll guide us
through this darkness.” Lily took
a deep breath and nodded.
Together, they turned away from
the mirror, leaving the shattered
reflection behind.
As they walked out of the room,
hand in hand, Lily felt a small
spark of hope ignite within her.
She knew the road ahead would
be long and difficult, but with her
mother by her side, she felt a
sense of peace wash over her.
Weeks after she had the heartwrenching conversation with her
mother, Lily began to seek solace
in her faith. She started attending
church services again, and spent
hours in prayer, pouring out her
emotions to God.
One day, while reading Psalm
34:18, “The Lord is near to the
brokenhearted and saves the
crushed in spirit,” Lily felt an
overwhelming sense of peace. She
realized God was with her, even in
her darkest moments. Lily started
journaling her prayer s and
thoughts, and soon discovered a
newfound connection with God.
She wrote: “Dear God, I’m lost and
broken, but I know You’re my rock.
Help me trust You again. Show me
Your love and guidance. “As she
wrote, Lily felt God’s presence
enveloping her. She began to see
His hand in every aspect of her life,
even the painful ones.
Lily’s relat ionship wi th God
deepened, and she discovered:
“God didn’t remove my pain, but
He walked alongside me, carrying
me through it.”
Six months later, Lily stood in front
of her church, shar ing her
testimony: “I was shattered, but
God gathered my pieces. He
healed my heart, and gave me
purpose. I’m not the same broken
woman I once was. God’s love
redeemed me.” As Lily spoke, her
voice filled with conviction and
gratitude, her mother smiled,
knowing her daughter had finally found peace.
The End.
Ojuolape Y . O
