Before I was adopted, I was born into a broken home. My parents struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and I never knew what safety was. There were many times when I wasn’t sure what I would eat next and whether the next knock on the door was a hug and kiss goodnight, or something scarier. My birth parents fought constantly and I found myself hiding in my own thoughts creating new realities to avoid the hell I was raised in. Eventually my birth sister and I were put into foster care and I lost track of my birth parents. I’m not even sure if they are still alive or if they even think of me.

 

We lived with one family for two years and I thought that they were going to be my forever family. All that changed when my foster mom said one night, "...you're not staying here." It was that simple sentence that broke my heart once more.

 

By now, when I was about seven years old, and I was plagued with health issues. My body was not functioning properly. I would have trouble breathing, I had no appetite, and I would sit on my bed and stare at the wall for hours, every day. I felt beyond broken.

 
When I was a month from turning eight, we met another foster family. This family was different. They actually cared about my frail body and broken spirit. They wanted to support my dreams and my passions. Eventually, this family adopted my sister and I. It wasn’t easy. We went through a whole lot. We had our battles, our arguments, and our rough days. Over the course of  several years and my amazing parents, I became healthy, stronger, and much better. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here today. Thank you, mom and dad!

 

I found my forever family, but the war was (and is) far from over. I wasn’t born into a Christian home. My birth family was as far from Christ as they could be. As a result, I didn't know God, what Jesus did for me, or what the Bible was. I didn't know that there was a spiritual war going on. 

 

I didn't hear about God until I came to my forever family, the Days. I started to go to church and hear about God's endless love for us, and that He says he is our perfect Father. I loved the idea of that. I started to read the Bible, pray, and talk to others about Him.

 

I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior of my life when I was eight years old. But it wasn't until I was fourteen years old that I became serious about my faith. I asked Jesus to be my Savior again, because I was wandering away from Him. I did things I was not proud of. I am thankful, though, that my past does not dictate my future, and that He was willing to give me another chance...again.

 

In 2022, our world turned upside down. Some of my family began to struggle with mental health issues. Our church went through a major scandal. Friends we had there began to leave in droves. It went on and on and on.

 

In January, 2023, I had enough. I went to the backyard and screamed in so much rage and sorrow at the world. After what felt like eternity, I fell onto the soggy wet ground, curled up into a ball, and sobbed. Satan has attacked me before I was even born, but 2022 was the worst year of my life. Satan successfully tore down me and my family. He had successfully broken me to pieces. I sobbed on the ground and cursed the Devil for everything he had done to me. 

Then, I reached out to God. I asked for His help for the first time. Sure, I asked for help before, but this was the first time where I knew I wasn't going to be able to go through life without Him. For the first time, I knew that I wanted to live for Him and nothing else.

 

In that moment, I felt His presence fill me and put my broken pieces back together. I rose to my feet, shocked at what was happening. The Holy Spirt filled me, and in the moment, I just started to praise the Lord. I was speechless. I had no idea what was happening, but I continued to praise Him. I felt...peace. In the chaos, I felt peace.

 

I started to go after the Lord after that day like I never had before. Satan no longer worried me. I was no longer scared of him. I believe he is now scared of me. 

 

Is he scared of you?