For Dinah

There is a woman named Dinah
buried in the patriarchy of Genesis.

Dinah’s personhood is barely described before 
she is raped
and we never get to hear her brave voice. 
Instead, father and brothers and tradition rise up 
to throw punches and shout for their own honor.
She disappears into their self-important violence -
the audacity of more violence!  

But while they brawl, 
God abides with Dinah.
Heaven believes her story 
even before she tells it   
whispering love that is balm on her body.  
The Spirit stands ready
and will wade through Sheol by her side.

Genesis does not document this mystery 
but the women in the region know. 
Dinah was on her way to visit them when 
that prince attacked her sovereign life.

The women can be trusted with her pain.
They wait on all of Dinah’s strength and truth.
They will seek the justice she needs.

So break the silence when you are good and ready.
Tell heaven what she already knows. 
Speak what God has already beared.
Release the weight of shame that is not yours to carry.

We are listening to your brave voice, daughter of Dinah.
And we hear it within the fullness of who you are.