“A child is the most precious gift given by God. It’s the purest essence of His presence on earth; so much so that Jesus said “…the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16c) Their innocence imparts sheer joy and love. Imagine what the world would be like if this were preserved? What would future generations be like with wholesome, loving people who can’t fathom hurting another?”
RODNEY TIMMS
As a child, Rodney Timms never knew what it was like to have loving parents who would care for and protect him. To Rodney, the word “father” brought fear. He suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of his father, without comfort or rescue from a neglectful mother. Growing up in southwest Oklahoma, Rodney would know a life of pain, abuse and apathy. He would learn there are those who would harm a child to such extremes that it creates a never-ending cycle of generational abuse, broken families and broken hearts.
His father would mete out punishment for the most trivial things, teaching Rodney that violence is how a person handles annoying situations. His neglectful mother would turn the other cheek, afraid of her husband. With feelings of inadequacy and no worth, Rodney channeled his anger into violent thoughts and behaviors. Violence fed him, and it became a part of him.
For many, this would create a never-ending generational cycle of violence. Rodney was blessed to have taken a different path. Life changed for Rodney when he learned he had a different Father, one he could depend on completely. He would learn about a heavenly Father who would never forsake nor hurt him, who tenderly loves him and helped him heal. Today, Rodney is a successful business owner of a multi-million dollar trucking company. He is a family man who loves his wife, children and grandchildren.
For Rodney, the cycle of violence was broken. His story is one of survival and resilience. Through the love of his family and his belief in God, Rodney overcame the pain and trauma he suffered as a child to become a loving father and a successful multi-million dollar business owner.
Through poetry, prose and public service, Rodney found his voice to speak out against child abuse. Rodney has a powerful story, one that needs to be heard.
Through All Truckers Together Against Child Abuse, Rodney Timms hopes to raise awareness across the country to the issue of child abuse. With rolling billboards crisscrossing the U.S.A., fundraising efforts, and partnerships with other agencies, A.T.T.A.C.A. is on a mission to stop the cycles of abuse and provide hope for children everywhere.