My mother was a drug addict and a prostitute. The years of living with
my Dad were filled with one unspeakable trauma after another. I endured
physical and verbal abuse. He exerted total control and domination over
me. I witnessed him commit a murder and he threatened my life multiple
times. Twenty-seven years ago I sat in a social services office with my
own case file before me. As I waded through the file, I saw countless
police and social workers' reports about a little girl in the foster
care system. I turned the pages and recalled the abuse that I endured
over and over again. At the time, I thought the only way to escape my
pain was to end my own life. After two unsuccessful suicide attempts, I
began a long journey that led to complete dependence upon Jesus Christ
where I found forgiveness and redemption. Because of Jesus, I am not
that little girl that I read about in my file. I've been made new
through the life giving grace of Jesus Christ, I've walked through a
long process where I forgave both my mother and father for all that they
put me through. Jesus has given me strength and joy that I never knew
possible. I pray that God will show you the vast depth of His love as
you read my story.
