Father Forgive Me

| A Ten Minute Mentor |

I’ve participated in a women's strip club ministry for years and I’m telling you, you better be ready to connect quickly because your window of opportunity is very small. To put it lightly, these women are dealing with a lot of pressure. Their attention span is short because the situation is so difficult. 

The girls in the clubs called us the “Church Ladies." We never liked that name. Although we all attended different churches, we weren't there representing an organization. We were there gently, but radically representing the love of Jesus. A few years ago, I met a young lady working at a club with an interesting tattoo that sparked a conversation. Wrapped around her neck like a permanent piece of dark black jewelry was the phrase, “Father Forgive Me." My eyes probably gave me away because I felt such love and empathy for her in that moment. I did not feel sorry for her, but I could feel her ink based plea. I asked her why - what was she saying with that tattoo? She told me that she comes from a “religious” family and that she feels bad about what she’s doing. In the same breath, she confidently told me that God will forgive her even if her family doesn’t. She loves God, but she has children to raise by herself and she needs the money. Although she has tried other jobs, nothing pays as much as this.

I’m not often left without words. But there I stood in the middle of this dressing room, amidst a sea of beautiful young women filled with potential, and I just felt like weeping. I sent up a rapid and desperate prayer for help from the Holy Spirit. "Help me communicate the right thing right now. Help me to be like Jesus in this moment." Zero judgment, only grace, "Dear God, let me be helpful to this beloved daughter of yours." 

So I simply looked her in the eyes, encouraged her with kind and positive words, agreed with her that she is forgiven, gave thanks that I am forgiven too because I’ve got my own stuff, assured her that her potential is limitless and that God sees her and loves her with a radical love, that He has plans for her life, good plans. We both walked away feeling connected. An unexpected connection in an unusual place between two very different looking women. 

For a long time after that encounter, I thought about her. I created stories about her life, wondering what happened to her that she found herself in such a difficult place? Where are her parents, her people? I prayed fervently then and I continue to pray now, that those 10 minutes we spent together mattered. That HIS love sets her free from shame, rejection and low self-esteem. That HIS love will break every barrier and bring every wall crashing down. The truth is that I recognized myself in her eyes. I recognize myself in the eyes of every woman I’ve ever met.

Who are we to judge anyway? 

Mercy over Judgement.

Every time.

Warmly,

Kim Gomez, Author + Founder