It has taken me decades to find the right words to share even a small piece of my story because, for the longest time, I didn’t think anyone would care.
Years ago, I was invited to share my journey of survival on a national stage by a well-known celebrity host. But I declined. Not because my story didn’t matter, but because I didn’t want to be seen as a victim. I was also raising my son and fiercely protecting his innocence and anonymity. Now, after all these years, I realize that my story is not just mine to keep, it’s a call to action for those with generous and compassionate hearts.
I founded the Foundation of Love in memory of my mother, a woman of deep faith in Jesus. She was a wise and loving woman whose life was overshadowed by fear, control, and abuse. Witnessing her struggle with self-confidence due to my father’s mistreatment was heartbreaking. I fought for her, defended her, and in doing so, I began a journey that would forever shape my life.
The Pain of Lovelessness, Abandonment and False Friends/Family!
Being unloving and selfish can deeply wound others, often in ways unseen but profoundly damaging. Indifference, neglect, and cruelty from those we trust erode self-worth, leaving a person feeling invisible and unimportant. Over time, discouragement can spiral into despair, and in some cases, even lead to suicide.
Proverbs 18:21 warns us:
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Words and actions have the power to either uplift or destroy. When someone endures relentless criticism, manipulation, or emotional coldness, they may begin to believe they are unworthy of love, unworthy of hope.
The Shadow and Residue of Domestic Violence!
Growing up in a home where fear and control were disguised as love, I learned the painful lesson that affection could be conditional, even dangerous. Defending my mother from my father’s mistreatment instilled in me a deep desire to protect others, but it also left scars. Scars that followed me into my own relationships.
I found myself drawn to men who mirrored the wounds of my past. I mistook control for love, mistreatment for normalcy. The cycle repeated itself, until I made the choice to break free.
Ephesians 5:25 reminds us:
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
True love is not possessive. It does not seek to control, but to uplift and cherish. Yet, when you have been conditioned to equate love with pain, breaking free is not easy.
Breaking Free From Bondage But at a Cost!
After seven years in a marriage defined by relentless abuse, I knew I had to leave. Not just for myself but more importantly for my young son. I refused to let him grow up witnessing the same violence that had already scarred me. I made a plan, determined to escape, to put as much distance as possible between us and the chaos. But that freedom came at a price.
In the years that followed, I found myself homeless, cast aside by those I had once called family and friends. The same people who had no trouble showing up when there was fame to share, wealth to enjoy, or notoriety to bask in were nowhere to be found when I needed them most. Their loyalty was nothing more than a performance, their presence only as deep as the benefits they could reap. When the spotlight faded and the struggle became real, so did their abandonment.
But there were, however; two exceptions, two divine interventions, handpicked by God Himself. Angels in disguise, one as a best friend, unwavering and fierce, and the other as a mentor, wise and steadfast. They were not bound by convenience or personal gain but by a love so pure, so relentless, that it defied the betrayal and abandonment of the rest. When the world turned its back, they stood firm. When I had nothing left to give, they gave anyway. They were my lifelines, my God-sent warriors, carrying me through the fire when I could no longer walk.
What Is The Meaning of True Friendship?
My best friend never left my side. He walked through the fire with me, refusing to let me face the darkness alone. When I was too weak to stand, he lifted me. When I forgot my worth, he reminded me. When the world turned its back, he believed in me. Real friendship is not measured by convenience—it is measured by commitment.
And then, there was my mentor.
With the deepest gratitude in my heart, I thank her. She stood by me unwaveringly, never once turning away, even when I had nothing to give in return. Day by day, she guided me—not for gain, but out of pure love. She led me to lean on God, trust in prayer, and find my strength in Christ.
Through her wisdom and unshakable faith, I learned that survival was not enough. I needed restoration. I needed to reclaim my peace, my worth, and my self-love. Because of her, I did not just escape, I was renewed!
One other person also opened her home to me and my Bestie, offering us shelter for a few months just long enough to regain my footing and for that I remain grateful.
During that time, in those moments of isolation and struggle, I discovered an unshakable truth: I was stronger than the pain, and I would rise.
Reclaiming Love as God Intended!
It wasn’t until I truly turned to God for healing that I began to understand love as He intended.
Through Scripture, therapy, and the continued support of my best friend, I reclaimed my worth. I realized that God’s love was not reflected in my suffering but in the strength, courage, and fortitude He gave me to overcome it.
I knew in my soul that I could not stand idly by while others endured the same pain I had once known too well. Determined to be a guiding light for those trapped in cycles of fear and despair, I dedicated myself to studying psychology, metaphysics, and Scripture. I trained in Mental Health Mentoring, equipping myself with the tools to walk alongside those in need.
This journey was not just about education, it was about transformation. For myself. For others. For the broken who needed hope.
The Domino Effect of Cruelty Versus The Results of Love.
The impact of selfishness and cruelty reaches farther than we realize. A harsh word, a dismissive attitude, or a lack of compassion can plant seeds of hopelessness in someone’s heart.
The gospel of Matthew 22:39 commands us: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
When we fail to love others, we fail in our most basic duty as human beings.
If you have ever been broken by someone’s selfishness, please know this: You are not alone. You are deeply loved. Your pain does not define you.
And if you have ever been unloving toward someone whether intentionally or out of your own wounds know that it is never too late to change.
It is far better to be a vessel of love rather than a source of harm, to give rather than hoard, to uplift rather than tear down. Because in the end, only one thing truly heals: Love!
Psalm 34:18 so beautifully reminds us, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
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