Jamalyn – 2015 Graduate
I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as my Savior at 11 years old. When I was 16, I recognized the Lord calling me to ministry, and quickly the enemy set to take me out. I began desiring acceptance, which led me to drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. When I was 19, I entered into an abusive marriage. I soon believed I would never be good enough. After I gave birth to my son, I realized I couldn’t raise him in a home like that. I got a divorce and turned again to alcohol and promiscuity and eventually ended up getting pregnant. I succumbed to the fear the enemy threw at me about many aspects of my life, so I had an abortion. A couple years later I met an amazing, Godly man and got married. However, I still hadn’t dealt with my issues, so they dealt with me. We had a son but later lost one child to a miscarriage and the next one died at birth. That was when my world became consumed by depression and substance abuse yet again.
My mom told me about Mercy after seeing Nancy Alcorn on a Joyce Meyer program. After my third admission to the hospital for accidental overdose, I decided to apply. I had lost my husband and my children, and I knew that this was my last chance at having any sort of life. When I came to Mercy, I was at the end of myself. It turns out that being at the end of myself was right where God wanted me to be.
One of the things that most impacted me while at Mercy was a teaching on overcoming the thought battles in the mind. It was then that the practicality of applying God’s tools really clicked for me. Another turning point was walking through forgiveness with my counselor. I had held on to so much unforgiveness toward myself and others that I wasn’t able to fully allow God to work. I really became free when He broke those chains.
God has freed me from my past shame and desires. He has restored my relationships with my family and my children, and He is even bringing reconciliation to my marriage. I have learned how to involve God in every aspect of my day and how to really live the abundant life that Jesus died to give me.
After graduating from Mercy, I plan to walk out what God has done in me. Eventually, I hope to move back home to work on my marriage and relationship with my children. I am currently working on a couple of books and would like to dive into worship and women’s ministry as well.
God has used Mercy to save and transform my life. I can’t thank Mercy supporters enough for being willing to invest in me. I was on the other side of your obedience.