My
whole life has consisted of wondering why I am here on this earth.
I grew up in a very abusive home with
three brothers. I was the only girl in the family. My mother's
parents were the only truly positive thing in my life.
My dad's parents were a lot like my parents; were always fighting
and arguing. My step grandfather molested
me at a very early age and this pattern continued for many years
after. I grew up thinking this was normal. I
was always looking for ways to try to please everyone and try to
stay out of everyone's way.
At the age of 15 I thought I was pregnant. Thank God I wasn't, but
this is when I knew something had to change
in my life. My Maternal grandparents would take me to church when
I was allowed to be around them, which
wasn't very often. But I wanted so desperately to be just like my
grandmother. She was so close to God. I don't
believe she ever had a bad thing to say about anyone. To me my
grandmother was perfect. I'm sure she had made
mistakes, but I don't recall ever seeing any.
She was so full of love for everyone. Shortly after I turned 15, I
knew I had to get away from home or I would
become pregnant. My boyfriend and I thought the best thing to do
was to get married. I ran away from home
because my parents would not allow me to marry. I eventually
returned home and was told I could marry if this
was the only way. I got married and this began a whole new set of
problems.
My husband was an alcoholic and was very abusive. I thought the
abuse was normal because this was what I saw
at home. I became pregnant and began my life. I continued to try
to make this marriage work for another 12 years,
and in this span of time I began to learn of God. I don't ever
really remember giving Him my all. I always held
back part of myself.
I blamed a lot of things in my life for the way my life had been
going. Never once did I consider the lies of satan and
the tricks he often plays. At the age of 22 and four kids later, I
found myself in a situation where I completely turned
against God. I became a very angry and bitter person. Extremely
mad at God over the events of my life at that time.
My husband had molested my daughter and this was to be the final
blow in our marriage. I always felt I could handle
anything he done to me. But not one of my children. I finally got
a divorce and became angrier at God for my situation.
I spent another year finding ways to escape reality. Drinking,
drugs, sex, lying, anything to help me forget.
Finally one day I hit bottom.
I went to a twelve step program and finally started rebuilding my
life. 4 years later I met a wonderful man who I now
know was sent by God. We married and continued on our life as we
knew it to be. After about a year of marriage, I
was depressed to the point of not caring if I lived or died. The
depression became worse and was very devastating. I
was to begin my visits with the psychiatric hospitals and
anti-depressants.
My husband and I both felt there was more to life and that
something is missing. We were searching trying to find the
answers of what was missing. We were both in the twelve step
program working on learning to face reality. One day
my youngest daughter had asked me to go to a revival with her. My
children were in church and have always been in
church as long as I can remember. I agreed to go with her. When I
went, God got a hold of me and my whole life
changed from that point. I had spent the last four years prior to
that in and out of psychiatric hospitals for major
depression. My psychiatrist had said there was nothing left he
could do to treat me. I would be in and out of hospitals
the rest of my life and would be on antidepressants from now on.
But God had a different plan. From that night I began
to feel different. I no longer felt there was nothing left to live
for. I am so grateful for His love and grace to know when
it looks as if there is no hope left you just have to call on
Jesus and everything is alright. I have not taken an
anti-depressants
since that time and have not been in the hospital since then. I
serve an awesome God.
I have been born again and truly reborn for about four years. God
is working in our lives in such a mighty way. I now
work in missions. My husband has been called to be a prophetic
speaker. God is using us both and we are very excited
each day to know that when you think there is nothing left and you
call out to Him, He is there to hear you and answer.
God Bless You All
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