Lavonna – 2012 Graduate
When I walked through the doors of Mercy during the summer of 2012, I don’t think I was prepared for the transformation that would happen in my life. Though I was raised in a Christian home, my life had been riddled with heartache, confusion, and a self-destructive path. I had experienced sexual abuse and made an oath of silence that led to isolation. My first suicide attempt was at the age of 12, which was followed by an eating disorder and self-harm. From the outside, my life looked ideal. On the inside, the deeper pain that was festering led to deeper issues of pornography, promiscuity, and a personality disorder in addition to the self-harm, depression, and anxiety I was going through.
When I reflect on my time at Mercy, I remember it being the safest place I had ever been. Experiencing genuine and unconditional love set the foundation for God to move in my life. I never would have imagined that I could go more than a few months without a suicide attempt or that being hospitalized would not be part of my life. Learning who I really am in Christ has brought a refreshing freedom that I hold on to each day. The hope that was restored has been fuel in the years that have passed since my graduation.
Life certainly has not been smooth sailing since leaving Mercy. I’ve put pressure on myself to be perfect “because I am a Mercy graduate” but this is a lie and expectation that has to be fought. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world-there is nothing we can do to be perfect but we can open our hearts to be transformed by God! I continue to grow and show myself the compassion that Christ shows me each day. People have tried to use my past against me and even used the fact that I went to Mercy as a means to destroy the path God had me on. But when the devil has attacked, God has proven Himself to be true!
I have now earned my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, and I already have my first job as a psychologist secured. I will also soon be launching my motivational speaking website. Many of the tools I obtained at Mercy I am applying with my clients, and it’s exciting to watch mercy being multiplied. I now know that I have nothing to fear. God is with me always and has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). God is so faithful!