By age twelve, Mary Therese Hutchinson had survived not one, not two, but four attempts on her life. Even worse, the assailant and man who had sexually abused her for years was no outsider but a trusted family member. Forced to keep much of what she endured a secret, Mary came to believe everything she’d been taught about God was a fairytale. After all, what loving God would allow such horrible things to happen to a little girl? Or if he was real, then God had forgotten about her.

By adulthood, Mary was outwardly a successful, beautiful young woman. But unresolved trauma and hate for her abuser led to a downward spiral of despair and self-destructive choices. A stranger’s prayers became the catalyst that started Mary on a journey of emotional healing and spiritual transformation. She now knew God was no fairytale but a loving, merciful heavenly Father who, far from abandoning her, had miraculously intervened to save her young life.