I ran into an old friend the other day. She told me she was proud of me for writing my book, A Journey through Emotional Abuse: from Bondage to Freedom. Then she said something that really startled me. She said, “Maybe now you can put it all behind you and move on with your life.” I thought that was such an odd statement. In the first place, I have moved on with my life! I have remarried, have 4 new kids, am very involved with my church, overseas missions, etc. In the second place, I feel called by God to help other women leave the hell I was in. Nine years ago I was in an abusive marriage, but didn’t realize it was abusive. I just knew I was terribly unhappy, and something was seriously wrong. I had gone to my church twice asking them to help me, but they didn’t know how to help me because they also didn’t realize I was being abused.

So when my friend said this, I thought to myself, “Does she think I do everything I am doing simply because I am ‘stuck’ and wallowing in my past?” She couldn’t be more wrong. I am trying to forge a future for myself and for the millions of other women who are still in that awful place. I pray my book, blog, website, twitter and Facebook pages are a blessing to those of you who are currently in abusive relationships, or know someone who is. In my counseling practice, I help may who are struggling with the agonizing decision about whether to leave their abuser or not. Some have decided to stay, but others have successfully journeyed to freedom. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, I hope you will reach out to me, or others in your state.

May God bless you all today.

Caroline