From Joyce to Grace

God can transform a life from nothing and make something beautiful out of it. My childhood life was hopeless. I didnt stand a chance to survive life and be an adult. I had no hope. I didnt know what it was like to have hope. I was tossed back and forth living from one family member to another. Then I grew to be a teenager and at fifteen years old I was raped and my future was taken from me by rape and I got pregnant and gave birth to a child. I was a mother before I became an adult. I had no experience about life and there seem to be no future. Then I had a relationship and lived in a battered relationship. One day I was told by my abuser You think youre Jesus Christ? Youre so goody-goody. I dont know why he said that. I retaliate back verbally but not physically. We were married by this time and there were three children in the marriage and although he didnt beat the children they were there to witness the abuse. I stayed in the marital abuse to protect my children from not having a home with a mom and dad. Because I wasnt raised in a home with a mom and dad I wanted that for my children. Then it came a time because of the beatings I could no longer stay in the marriage. The beating became severe and I had to make a choice. If I stayed in the marriage to protect my children so that they can have a home with a mom and dad like I didnt have there would have been only a dad because I wanted to die. I didnt want to live anymore. My life was being beaten out of me.One day after I was beaten so badly my eyes swollen and my head swollen I lay on the floor and I cried out to God If this is what life is I dont want to live anymore take me. I want to die! Then quietly within me I heard It doesnt have to be that way. Leave. I didnt think before that I could leave permanently because I left once with the children and he came and took us back but God gave me the strength that I needed and He directed me how to escape and I was set free from marital abuse and through Gods grace He made something beautiful out of me and my life was transformed from nothing to something good. I will always give God the praise for His goodness His mercy and His grace to (me) Grace all the days of my life!