The Day I Left My Abuser

The day I decided to leave is the day I heard the voice of God for the first time in my life.

It was a hot, summer day and our AC went out. My ex had someone come over to try and fix it. Three hours later, it was still 95° in our house. I called him to "ask permission" to open the windows. He told me: "NO!" I hung up and opened the windows anyway.

When he got home, I was doing the dishes. He yelled at me for opening the windows then when I "smarted off" from irritability, he grabbed my ponytail and yanked my head back. As a natural reaction, I turned and punched him in the chest. From then, it was a full-out brawl as I fought my way to the front door. I just wanted OUT! He grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground. I screamed, as I almost hit my head on the coffee table. He stood over me and said: "I wouldn't have done that, had you not tried to leave." I remember laying there, feeling completely hopeless, thinking..."This is it, this is my life...I'm never getting out". He ended up leaving in his car.

The next thing I knew, the police were at my door. It turns out because I had the windows open, a neighbor kid heard me scream, he told his mom and she called the police.

After the police left, I went up to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. I didn't recognize who I was anymore. I looked down and saw a yellow post-it with a scripture on it.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the PLANS I have for you, DECLARES the Lord! Plans, to prosper you, not to HARM you, but to bring you HOPE and a FUTURE."

At that moment, it felt as though someone's hand was on my back, pushing me forward, as my whole body began to sweat. I said: "I hear you Lord, but I NEED YOU; because I can't do this alone."

I packed up his belongings and sent him a text that he needed to pick his things up. I went to stay at my parent's and as soon as I saw my mom, I fell into her arms. I was broken, and I had no idea who I was apart from this man.

God showed up through my mom, in the following months, as she became my solid rock.

Psalm 9:12 "I will say, of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will Trust".

I was rescued that day. Even though it was the most difficult road I've ever navigated down, He NEVER let go of me.

His promises to me on that day, have come full circle.

Freedom is what I gained