A Young Man’s Search for Identity

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3.

For some, who you grow into is defined by the roots that have come before you. Kellan was raised by a single mother. Growing up, he longed to know his father, thinking that if he only knew where he had come from, that he could understand his own identity. For 17 years Kellan asked his mother about his father, hoping to learn anything - his name, his sense of humor, if he had his dad's smile. For 17 years, his questions were dismissed. 

His mother could see his insatiable longing, and after 17 years she could keep the secret no longer. She sat Kellan down and told him the story of his father; how she was sexually abused by her own brother when she was young, and Kellan was conceived out of that abuse. She told him how she and their extended family kept the incest a secret, knowing the shame that would befall them if anyone in the community knew of her abuse. She told him how Kellan's father, her brother was the breadwinner for their entire family, and they would likely starve if their family was put to shame. 

Kellan was shattered. His whole life he had longed to know who he was, thinking knowledge of his father would make him feel whole, never dreaming he'd find himself to be the product of incestual abuse from a family that lied to him to protect his abusive uncle. In response to his mother's story, Kellan disowned his family for their betrayal. 

But praise be to God that Kellan found a support system through RiverCross that has helped him process the trauma both he and his mother endured. Kellan has finally discovered his true identity in Christ rather than in his broken circumstance. He is in the process of rebuilding trust with his family, including his father. 

*Although the stories we share are true, identifying details have been changed.