Her Rising

 

By Kenya Halliburton

 

Invisibility.

It’s a great superpower for a comic book, but in real life?

Not so much…

Recently I watched the movie Good Will Hunting. It was about a young man named Will (played by Matt Damon) who was a mathematical genius. But, as a child he was abused, betrayed and wounded by those who were supposed to love and care for him. So, he did what many of us do. As he got older he developed protections for himself –a way to keep himself from ever being hurt again.

He hid himself and his gifts. He’d found safety in his group of childhood friends and locked himself away from life and his potential. But, as is often the case, God’s gifts cannot be hidden. And it wasn’t long before his talent was discovered by a prominent university professor.

But, it was the interaction with his therapist Sean (played by Robin Williams) that made me cry like a baby. After Will opened up about his childhood abuse, Sean walked over to him and softly replied, “It’s not your fault.”

Will nonchalantly replied, “I know.”

But, Sean continued to look will in the eye and repeat “It’s not your fault”. Over and over again until he burst into tears, threw his arms around his therapist and cried it out.

Have you ever wanted someone to do that for you? Have you ever yearned for someone to care enough to push past your rehearsed “I’m good,” responses to tell you, “It’s going to be okay.”

It’s easy to hide in our world today. There are so many things to disappear behind –politics, violence, addiction, work, school – the list goes on and on.

But, I want you to know that there is someone who sees you no matter what or who you try to hide behind.

His name is Jesus and He is the ultimate therapist. Throughout my life, I have learned that no matter how deep I try to bury my pain, no matter how invisible I feel, no matter how hard I fight to stay hidden from the threat of being hurt again, God sees me. And He stands there telling me “It’s not your fault. I love you and I’m here.”

God’s Gift of Song

I got saved in college at the age of 19. But, As far back as I can remember I always felt his hand in my life – even though I may not have known it was Him.

My life growing up wasn’t especially hard or traumatic. But, after I got married and had kids, it was like a bomb went off. And, although it caught me by surprise, God saw it coming all along.

He gave me a song in my early twenties that soothed my young soul. It was born out of the frustration and pain I felt with being underestimated, overlooked – invisible.

I felt like everyone was rooting for me to fail. And those who weren’t were just too busy with their own life to give me any encouragement.

The twenty year old me, could not have known that this song would continue to minister to me over a decade later – and counting. But, God knew.

He could see past the smile and quiet confident demeanor that gave those close to me the permission to focus on “their stuff.” Because,” Kenya is smart with a good head on her shoulders, we don’t have to worry about her.”

I couldn’t know then that the song God gave me was my theme music. It was our therapy session. It was my “Rocky” anthem. You know the music that plays as you get back up to fight after life has knocked you down?

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31

I have survived domestic abuse, homelessness, rejection and divorce. And it’s only because God showed up and gave me strength, courage and love when I needed it.

He gave me a song.

God knew that in some of my darkest moments, this song would be just like that scene in the movie. He sees me and speaks to me through these words – confronting my apathy, releasing my fear and healing my pain.

When I hear this song, in my spirit, I can feel God’s healing embrace. I throw my arms around my Daddy’s neck and cry it out -safe in His arms.

My sister so graciously took time to record this for such a time as this. I hope you find comfort in these words. I pray that you find strength and healing from these words. Most of all, I pray you feel seen.

Her-Rising

Link to audio: http://kenyahalliburton.audello.com/her-rising/

Wait to see her fail that’s what they’d say.

But she believed she’d surpass adversity.

And all her life she struggled to make her way.

When she’d give up God delivered her His grace.

Look at her rise…

Hook:

Look at her rise

Look at rise

Look in her eyes

and watch her risin’

Look at her rise

Look at rise

Look in her eyes

and watch her risin’

God shed light on her power unrealized for she could see the intention in their eyes.

The light in her heart gave a glow so radiant.

Look at her beautiful magnificent and watch her rise…

Hook:

Look at her rise

Look at rise

Look in her eyes

and watch her risin’

Look at her rise

Look at rise

Look in her eyes

and watch her risin’

Bridge:

Beautiful

Beautiful

Beautiful

Watch her rise

Watch her fly….

She lifts her head and spreads her wings to fly towards her destiny.

She knows God will be waiting there so, she believes and keeps the faith cause she knows no matter how hard the wind blows, she’ll keep steady on her path, no more searchin’ outside of herself cause she believes she has the power to rise, rise, rise

Hook:

Look at her rise

Look at rise

Look in her eyes

and watch her risin’

repeat to end song.

About Kenya~

Kenya is the owner of My Virtual Genie an Online Business Management company that supports women entrepreneurs. When she’s not helping women create their dream business, she can be found raising her three boys. Kenya is also, a survivor of domestic abuse and passionate about using her trials to empower other women to triumph. .

Tags: Huntsville, isaiah 40:31, jesus, Kenya Halliburton, Our City On A Hill, overcoming, testimony