On Staying the Course

~ Stacy

I started this blog in 2014 as a creative outlet and a means of anchoring myself in regular writing practice. I prayed that my work might be an encouragement to others, set a goal of 100 subscribers, and pressed “Publish.”

Things picked up faster than I expected. I started writing for Her View from Home, and several outside sites began picking up my essays, especially the following article, “Not My Child: Protecting My Son from a Sexual Predator.”

This week, I was contacted by an editor of Huffington Post Deutschland who asked for my permission to translate this article into German and run it on their site. If you’ve been with me at all in this journey, you know that this is one of the most important and most vulnerable posts I’ve written. When it first aired on Her View from Home, I was immediately asked to take it down by someone who wanted to protect the offender. I prayed hard and sought counsel of wise friends, and felt certain the post needed to stay up. It is a message I hope all parents and caregivers would hear. It’s been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on various platforms and has produced more passionate discussion than I could ever have imagined. Now it is reaching a new audience of parents in a new corner of the world.

Friends, if you have a story that needs to be told, tell it. If you have a painting begging to be painted, paint it. If something is stirring inside of you that cannot be ignored, there’s a reason for it. Cultivate it. Pray on it. Stick with it. Good things take time and effort, but the fruits of difficult labors are sweet.

Thank you, for the thousandth time, for supporting this blog and helping me exceed any expectations I had for Revisions of Grandeur and the stories that have been shared here so far.

With gratitude,

Stacy

Read the original post at Her View from Home –>

Read the German version at Huffington Post Deutschland –>

*Featured image via Huffington Post Deutschland

22 thoughts on “On Staying the Course”

  1. Hi Stacy, I realised I hadn’t read your blog for a while so chose this post as it was recommended it the email notification of your comment on my own recent post. I’ve now just read your article, ‘not my child…’ and some of the comments in response to it, and I find myself tearful. I wish, with all my heart, such awareness raising wasn’t necessary, but it’s clear that it is. I love that you encourage, first and foremost, that parents trust their instincts. I remember my mother telling me a story about how, when she was a child, a teacher exposed himself to her inappropriately and she told her father immediately. Her father went to the school next day, spoke to the headteacher, and the teacher in question left the school. Of course, I don’t know what follow up there was in terms of ensuring he wouldn’t do such things again, that was, what, over fifty years ago, but I feel proud of my grandfather, who was a stern and conservative man at the time (mellowed later!) for immediately trusting and responding to his young daughter’s sharing. Anyway, just thank you, for a wise, warm, measured and inspiring piece of writing. Blessings, Harula xxx

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    1. What an important story, Harula. I’m deeply grateful for any parent/teacher/caregiver who is willing to speak up on behalf of our treasured children. Sexual abuse/exploitation is such a complex and confusing issue, but I do believe more people are becoming aware of the prevalence and effects of this kind of behavior. I do hope my family’s experiences help protect many more children as this story spreads. Thank you for reading, sharing your family’s story, and as always, for the kind encouragement. Peace, Stacy

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  6. Thank you for this reminder. As a writer feeling a bit lost, I certainly needed to hear it. I’ve only just discovered your blog and look forward to diving in and reading your essays. Congratulations on reaching many with your words and with the stories which need to be told.

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    1. Thank you, friend! I am certain, based on what I’ve seen of your work, that you are going to thrive in the writing world. I look forward to reading more of your essays as well. Glad to have connected with you here. Stacy

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  7. Very enlightening and revealing story. My son is almost 2 so of course it stirred up a lot of emotion for me! I’ll be clinging to my guy a little extra tight as a result. Thank you for being brave enough to share this Stacy!

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    1. Yes, it is intense to think about the dangers for our little ones, but we have so much power and ability to protect them when we are cautious and aware. I am encouraged that our experiences are helping others like you to protect their own children. Thank you for the kind support, friend!

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    2. I was moved to tears. I grandpa to grandchildren and I’m very worried about them, all the time. That there are all kinds of perverts, lucky us that maintaining the security guard in kindergartens and schools,
      Had a wonderful post, and I support you in every word.

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  9. That’s wonderful. I’ve started my blog hoping I can get to interview people who have personal struggles. So far I’ve had 3 and another two lined up this week. I’m hoping I can help tell their stories.

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    1. I would love to check these out! It sounds a bit like the Grand Edits Guest Feature stories I do. Isn’t it a gift to help others share their stories, too? Heading over to your blog now!

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I LOVE hearing from you! I wish I didn't have to moderate comments, but you wouldn't believe what people say on the inter-webs these days ;) I promise to update and approve regularly!