Five Daughters
By Jackie Sears
Over the past week – there has been much discussion and comment on 5 young women whose lives were taken early; their lives sacrificed to addiction. Hundreds of professionals worked day and night, amid tears and desperation to stay in contact with the girls, to try and keep them safe - and to find their murderer.
The docu-drama of the Ipswich murders in 2006 was professional and deeply and profoundly personal to each family – and showed care and concern but also, by some in the community - judgement. But among the judgement was love.
It was winter – a winter never to be forgotten - and the unbelievable was happening – lives violently snuffed out, one after the other.
Who of us can imagine what it must be like to be so ‘hooked’ on drugs that you would do anything to get enough money for the next fix? Who of us can imagine being in a situation where life is uncontrollable – or something or someone controls us?
What we saw on TV this week led us to the brink of our fears – to the unthinkable. We know from scripture that Jesus met with those who longed for love and acceptance; he would have been alongside the ‘somebody’s daughters’; he would have loved at such a deep level and ministered to their greatest need. Now, instead of Jesus, there is us – with Jesus in our hearts, in our heads and his name on our lips.
 Loving like Jesus would have loved involves commitment – making a choice and being willing to be alongside others in all circumstances.
We have the privilege of knowing about love, through Jesus Christ. He offers love that is so profound, so accepting, so deep that it is almost impossible to believe – a love that crosses all the boundaries.
The capacity to love is one of the most wonderful things about being human. Love brings us such joy and delight – it transforms every day. Love helps us make sacrifices for others, to live with inconvenience or hardship, to go the extra mile. But love also leaves us open to hurt. It makes us suffer, grieve and ache - so why do we do it?
We love because we are designed to love. Love doesn’t come from nowhere. It is not a matter of chance. A loving God made us loving so that we will reflect him. For love shows us that God exists, and it shows us what God is like. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the centre, the epitome of love. Jesus sees our hearts; man sees the outside appearance, and judges before knowing anything.
Each girl – ‘somebody’s daughter’ – was loved by family and friends – and that memory is still one of love. Let us pray for them, that Jesus will carry their burdens and meet them in their reawakened grief – and that their daughters will be resting in peace.
Pray for those still controlled by addictions, longing to be set free; hold them before God.
Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha Koum!"
(...which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!") Mark 5:41
Revd Jackie Sears is at Triangle church in Ipswich and is a Trustee for the Talitha Koum project, which aims to provide a residential programme near Ipswich, offering a route out for women with life-controlling addictions such as drug or alcohol abuse..
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