I have had friends questions my "MJ Memories" due to the allegations of Child Abuse he encountered in his later years. I understand these feelings perfectly. As a victim of child sexual abuse I watched that whole MJ scandal and it triggered lots of questions as well. It also uncovered a lot of pain from my own abusive past. However I also know that Michael Jackson was frozen in time at his own level of abuse. Every child that is molested does not become a molester. Because of his fame and his love for children, he was an open target for law suits. I do think he should have used better judgment, but I don't believe that made him an abuser. I also believe that those parents have to be held somewhat accountable. I would never think twice about allowing my child to sleep over with a grown man even... if he was Michael Jackson. After listening to hours and hours of testimony, the jury found him innocent of all charges. He was found "not guilty". However his reputation was marred forever.

My own children were drawn into a situation in our own neighborhood with a young man who had serious issues. On the outside he looked like a boy who just enjoyed being with children. He would play ball with them all in the neighborhood. He coached sports teams. But there were times he would just randomly call to talk to my boys as if they were his "friend". He gave them gifts such as t-shirts, tickets to ballgames, even cell phones in exchange for personal items like shoes or clothing. It naturally set off red flags in me. It wasn't until years later that there was enough evidence to turn him in. As soon as it all came together young boys came out of the woodwork. With all the evidence including federal charges for child pornography this young man is now serving a 20 year sentence with no chance of parole for good behavior. The evidence was solidly there and they found him "guilty".

In making peace with my own abuse... I have found the greatest healing has come through personal forgiveness. I have actually spoken with the man who abused me years ago and found that he had carried the burden of my abuse around with him for years. He willingly confessed his sin toward me and asked for my forgiveness. But even that didn't free me from the cloak of shame that I felt permeated my spirit. Only Jesus could do that for me! He freed me from the hurt, the hate, and brought healing. Because of His great love for me, I continue to work with victims of abuse as a counselor through various community organizations. I know that despite the pain of abuse God is still able to turn this situation into something he can use for his glory. As for your own children... I would encourage you to continue guarding and protecting him. Today's world is so much scarier because technology has opened up a whole new way for children to be exploited and abused. And frighteningly the people who abuse are often very close to home!

As for Michael Jackson... we can be inspired by his music, his lyrics, and be reminded to do what we can as individuals to reach out to others. But as my son pointed out last night after watching, My Sister's Keeper, it is scary to think that there are people out there who lead wonderfully giving lives and can still leave this world and not know Jesus. Their capacity to do "good" may greatly surpass our own... but if they never saw the need for a Savior, they leave this world lost. It is not my place to judge a man's heart. I can only seek to continue to share God's love with others through Christ. Many times we find that people of the world have the right method... they just have the wrong message. We can still learn a great deal from them because if we get the method down... and add the message... then more people can know our Savior! Have a wonderful weekend and I appreciate your response. God bless you and yours! In Christ's Love, Jenny