Lauren – 2015 Graduate

Prior to Mercy my life was a downward spiral heading for pure destruction. I used alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity to cover up the pain I had encountered all my life. As a child I felt neglected and unwanted. I began to see myself as unworthy and unimportant, and depression and anxiety crept into my life. I felt like all I was destined for was a life of rejection, drug abuse, alcoholism, and being accepted to only be used in the end.

My mentor told me about Mercy when I was at the end of my rope. I thought there was no more hope, and I knew that if I did not leave my environment and fully cling to God, then my life was going to be cut short. I was excited and nervous when I walked through the doors of Mercy. I did not know what to expect, but I knew it had to be better than where I was coming from. I was ready, open and transparent in my counseling sessions because I so desperately wanted help. I also longed to have a strong, consistent, and everlasting relationship with Jesus Christ.

There were two major turning points for me while I was at Mercy. The first time was when I fully became transparent in my counseling session and told my counselor a few shameful choices I had made. The minute I got honest, Jesus showered His mercy and grace upon me. My past has been forgiven, and I no longer feel trapped by that area in my life. The second turning point was when I truly discovered the Holy Spirit. I had always put God in a box, and I let religion rule me instead of having an intimate relationship with Him. My life has been changed ever since. I know now that I serve an almighty and powerful God. He can do anything that He wants to, and He never gives up on me even when I have doubts.

God has truly revealed Himself to me during my stay at Mercy. I no longer doubt that He cares about every part of my being and what I am doing. He has shown me who I am in His eyes. I am a beautiful, smart, and valuable person. I no longer have to believe the lies of other people, the inner me, or the enemy. I know exactly who God says I am, and that’s all that matters. He has also planted and rooted me in His Word, and I have a firm foundation for the rest of my days. God has truly opened my eyes to who He is and has given me revelation that we are about to do something huge together for the Kingdom of God.

After Mercy I plan on getting fully involved with my new church. I want to engage in all the activities that I can. I want to be a light for young men and women who are struggling. I also want to help out in the nursery at church. I plan to go back to school to pursue a degree in communications. I want to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ among the nations.

I don’t even know where to begin thanking all the Mercy donors for giving me this opportunity to be part of such a wonderful ministry. I could not imagine a better place for true healing. Thank you so much for all that you do because your blessings save lives. It sure saved mine. Every donor has inspired me to give to Mercy for the rest of my life. The freedom, healing, restoration, and love that God pours out on the girls at Mercy penetrates my soul with an abundance of joy.