A New Song...Jamie's Story
I was adopted at 2 weeks old by the most wonderful parents, and was truly blessed with their entrance into my life. They loved me well and raised me in church. But I believe the seeds of rejection, abandonment were planted before I was even born. The enemy used these against me starting in grade school when I began to realize that I was different. My first encounter of being different was in 4th grade when I was called a derogatory name because of my skin color. After this the school had "cultural awareness" and I felt that I stood out even more. This all began to grow the seeds of rejection and abandonment. Yet my parents influence kept me going after God and when I graduated I was living for God full force and looking forward to my future.
At college though my beliefs were challenged as well as my choices. Then during one of my summer breaks from college, I was raped and the loss of my virginity felt as if I had lost everything. I didn't know how to handle it and began to suppress that moment. When I returned to college, I drank alcohol, and drank to oblivion where a good friend had to help me out of my own vomit. This didn't stop me though, I just found that I could drown my sorrows (or so I thought). The more I drank, the more my heart became hard, bitter and shallow. I didn't care about myself, let alone anyone else and became very promiscuous. I thought if I don't give it up they will take it anyways. I simply didn't care. I jumped from one dysfuntional relationship to another and from the ages of 21-32 received three OWI's, which is a felony. I did time in jail and felt worthless.
Now my motto was I will hurt you before you hurt me. I was at rock bottom, homeless, jobless, manless and Godless. I called my parents who never gave up hope for me and they told me about Teen Challenge.
I have been here 9 months and beginning the final phase. I have learned so much in this amount of time. I can't begin to write it all down. The major thing is I have learned to love myself again and others, and most importantly God. I have been forgiven and learned to forgive, learned to be humble, restored broken relationships, learned to become vulnerable and trusting. I cry again! Simply said, God has performed surgery on my heart and has healed many wounds. I have a future, and with Jesus as my best friend in the lead of my life I can't go wrong.
Thank you heavenly Father, I have a new song!
