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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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had been told categorically by <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r that this was <strong>the</strong>ir secret <strong>and</strong> consequently <strong>the</strong>ydid not think that this was wrong until <strong>the</strong>y went to school <strong>and</strong> realized that <strong>the</strong>ir friendsdid not have <strong>the</strong> same experiences <strong>and</strong> that this parental behaviour was inappropriate. Sheadmitted that she was going through a difficult time <strong>and</strong> she would like some help.As she related her story, her suffering seemed so intense that as a mo<strong>the</strong>r I wanted to holdher, be <strong>the</strong>re for her, <strong>and</strong> provide some comfort (healing) for her. My own thoughts abou<strong>the</strong>aling at this time were influenced by <strong>the</strong> popular pastoral <strong>the</strong>ology <strong>of</strong> Hickey (2000)about brea g <strong>the</strong> cycle <strong>of</strong> abuse through <strong>the</strong> „Brea <strong>the</strong> generational curse‟. Hickeywrote: „Doctors are aware that physical afflictions can be <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> a generationaliniquity. When you show signs <strong>of</strong> certain types <strong>of</strong> diseases, <strong>the</strong>y want to know if <strong>the</strong>re is afamily history <strong>of</strong> that disease. Maybe arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease runs in yourfamily.‟ Hic y postulates that down <strong>the</strong> generations, “curse sic ess” may be caused bysomeone doing ano<strong>the</strong>r person an injustice or wickedness <strong>and</strong> that injustice may be visitedon <strong>the</strong> children from <strong>the</strong> parents through generations. She cites Psalms 103:3 „wh<strong>of</strong>orgiveth all thine inequities: who healeth thy diseases‟ <strong>and</strong> Isaiah „<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> inhabitantsshall not say I am siche people that dwell <strong>the</strong>rein shall be forgiven for <strong>the</strong>ir iniquity‟<strong>and</strong> „He was wounded for our trespasses <strong>and</strong> bruised for our iniquities‟. In <strong>the</strong>se scriptures,sickness/healing is linked with iniquity.What is interesting about this young mo<strong>the</strong>r‟s story is that her fa<strong>the</strong>r did not believe thatwhat he did was wrong because his fa<strong>the</strong>r had also abused him. The type <strong>of</strong> healing thatthis young mo<strong>the</strong>r required was one <strong>of</strong> first <strong>and</strong> second intention or deep centred healing.The young mo<strong>the</strong>r had started to take steps towards breaking <strong>the</strong> generational cycle, butshe was still suffering. Her children would suffer in a lesser form from this particular curse223

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