I was raised in a Christian family but rebelled a little and ended up marrying (in my teen years) a very physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive man who wanted nothing more than total power and control. I was never loved. He was the opposite of everything I'd been taught as a child in Sunday school and my Christian home life.

1 Corinthians 13 4-8

Love is patient, and love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Feeling very lost and forsaken in this marriage, I prayed continually to the Lord for protection for my child and myself but saw no way out. One night I had a dream of a staircase starting from the footpath just outside my apartment going up to heaven with a very bright light at the top. That was my answer to prayer. I was not alone.

The very 1st opportunity I had, I went to church and gave my life to Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Saviour and was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins. Now with the Holy Spirit within God gave me the strength I needed to survive and eventually escaped the toxic relationship that almost ended in him trying to torture me to death, but that's another whole story in itself.

I have a new beginning now! I praise and worship you Lord and am eternally grateful and thankful for a 2nd chance at life!