This month has very special meaning for me not just because it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month but also because I have a personal tie to this month, because of being a survivor of Domestic Violence (DV). And I have had the honor of being the Guest Speaker at 2 DV events this month. But I don’t enjoy being a survivor of DV, it’s not something I asked for or deserved. I didn’t grow up wanting to be the face of DV. My life has had some devastating turn of events. That have left their mark and caused me intense pain and much sorrow. I wish I had the power to go back in time and remove these events from my life…protect myself from this harm and pain. But I don’t have that power! Life is unpredictable – for better or worse…It just is what it is.
At my speaking event last weekend we had a Q & A, in which the 110 women (including a couple of AZ Governors) that I spoke in front of asked me for my expert opinion on DV. It wasn’t until after I spoke that I thought about how if there was anything I wanted to be an expert on…DV wasn’t it! And that thought saddened me!! During my speech I talked about my healing process and how without GOD I wouldn’t be where I am today. Afterwards I had women coming up to me hugging me and telling me, “What you said really hit home”, “You’re an excellent public speaker I can’t believe this is the first time you have spoken in front of a group this size”, “I love how you said with GOD all things are possible and I wish there was more people like you out there”, “You’re so brave…thank you for sharing”.
Their words really touched me! I knew in that moment that what I went through…what I had endured wasn’t in vain! It had a purpose and that purpose was to encourage, inspire and empower other Victims/Survivors of DV. And just like the verse Genesis 50:20 (What satan meant for evil you intended for good, the saving of many lives.) that I had shared with the women during my speech, I knew was not only true that day but would be true all days as my lasting legacy. Because I would be known as a brave woman, a former victim now survivor of DV who through it all found my voice and was allowing GOD to use me to inspire, empower and encourage other women through the traumatic events, trials and tribulations that I have gone through. I am so grateful GOD can use anyone at any place through any situation! I love when GOD takes our ugly scraps and creates a beautiful tapestry from them.
