Emerging from an abusive relationship is incredibly challenging, both emotionally and physically. The journey toward healing and rediscovering your potential is a courageous and empowering process. While the scars of past abuse may run deep, they do not define your future. It’s not too late to reclaim your life, recognize your value, and unlock your true potential.
I cannot tell you how many times I shouted this to the heavens with my hands held high and tears streaming down my face as I entered a new life season. My last baby had just left the nest, I had never finished college, and all my friends were stepping into their next season of womanhood with confidence and grace.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.”- 1 John 4:18-19. The famous song “What’s Love Got to Do With It” by Tina Turner was released in 1984, and some, including myself, believe there is a subliminal message: Love is risky and can sometimes hurt. Nonetheless, God calls us to be rooted and anchored in His sufficient love amidst fear or disapproval of others.
If you’ve been to a summer camp, you may have memories of flying off the innertube or painting a ceramic cat that your parents “forgot.” My core camp memories are a little different. One summer after high school, I worked as the counselor for 19 middle school girls at a camp somewhere in the Dakotas. Nothing has tested my faith more.
I lost the feeling in my fingers as I gripped the steering wheel tighter, white-knuckling my way through our neighborhood. It was almost 5:00 p.m., which meant my husband would soon gather our children and I would attempt to gather my thoughts. Usually, while our days aren’t perfect, they tend to run pretty smoothly. But today wasn’t one of those days.