Before Mercy, I lived in a constant state of survival and hopelessness. On the outside, it seemed that I was a responsible young woman whose life was well put together. Unfortunately, I was hurting very deeply on the inside. Eventually, the pain that I had been running from caught up to me, and my life began to spiral down at a rapid speed. It honestly terrified me to be alone. My Spiritual family stepped in, and I applied to Mercy. Soon after, I walked through the doors of Mercy, desperate for freedom.
My time here at Mercy has been a beautiful journey of growth, healing, submission of my will, and rising as the woman God destined me to be. I had to be honest with myself and my counselor regarding my desire or lack thereof for complete healing. I chose to stay in my brokenness and trauma due to fear of abandonment. I believed that no one would love a whole and healed Destiny. I didn’t know a life outside past traumas consuming my every thought. I had to overcome those in order to receive a healthy mind in Christ.
Mercy stretched me to rewire my mind with truth. This was not easy, but I made the decision not to suffer in bondage without Jesus. While being at Mercy, I came face-to-face with my anger and victim mentality towards God because I blamed and questioned His love during the abuse. I can wholeheartedly say, “God was an ever-present help in my childhood.” Healing the wounded child in me was a huge freedom milestone. I showed my traumatized brain and body that we are now in a safe place to feel the suppressed feelings from all the trauma and abuse. This process felt like trudging through mud. My trauma brain wanted to revert to the old way of coping, and my renewed mind wanted freedom. I felt the anger, rejection, and abandonment, and it did not break me. God gets all the glory and praise for the young woman I am today.
I am returning home, where my Spiritual family awaits my arrival. I will be returning to the classroom and continuing my writing and speaking endeavors as the Lord leads.
To the donors, my life has forever been changed through your obedience. I do not know what I would have done or where I would be without Mercy. Thank you!