Saving Grace

My name is Christina Wilson and I am 25 years old. Growing up, I watched my father harm my mother physically, emotionally and mentally. After they split up, he turned on me. Most of his abuse towards me was emotionally and mentally. He used scare tactics to scare me and keep me under his control. I wasn't allowed to be a kid. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere except school and home. The majority of the time the only things I was allowed to do were chores, school work and read. I never thought anything my father did was wrong. I just thought that's how dad's were. It wasn't until I was 23 years old that my world came crashing down around me. I was staying with my dad, his girlfriend, my little sister and step brother. One morning, I woke to my father yelling because he was so angry. He then walked outside to smoke. A little bit later his girlfriend went outside to talk to him. My step brother was over his friend's house and I was in the house with my sister. While my father and his girlfriend were outside I heard his gun fire. I became a nervous wreck as I was trying to find a phone while holding my sister, but I was unsuccessful. Next thing I know my father's girlfriend runs inside through the back door and locks the door. My dad comes to the back door threatening her trying to get her to open the door. She was afraid, so she let him in. He came in the house with the gun and held all 3 of us at gun point. In a blur he was gone with my sister and the cops were at our house interrogating us. Even then, I still didn't grasp the fact that my dad was an abuser. It wasn't until I was sitting at a domestic violence help group with a questionnaire in my hand with all but two statements checked off. It was at that point that I realized that my father's actions during my entire life was not normal, nor was it okay. After that I went down a really long dark path. Two years later I found myself walking into a new church for the first time in years. That was the beginning of my realization of all the wonderful things God has done in my life. God saved me and my family the day my father had us at gunpoint among other violent behaviors he had done to me. God saved me when I was only a couple of months old and had a gun pointed at my head. God saved me when I was 13 years old and was involved in a head-on collision. God saved me when I was 15/16 years old and had a child predator try to use me as a prostitute. God saved me when I was kicked out on the streets at 19 years old. God saved me from abusive relationships I've been in. God saved me in 2017 when I was on my death bed. He has saved my life so many times that I can't even count how many times He has saved me. As I walked into that church a year ago, it saved me from my depression, anxiety and drugs. It has helped me become closer to God and live a happier, better life. In February, my father past away. With God's help I was able to forgive my dad for everything that has happened just a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, I feel so much better. God has blessed me many times too. God helped me get my first assistant managers job last year which allowed me to pay off the debt I owed to my college. After that, I was able to start classes again and get back on a path towards earning my degree. God has even helped me reconnect with family I haven't talked to in years. There's so much God has done in my life, it's just amazing! Psalm 46:5 "God is within her, she will not fall." Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield." Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Exodus 14:14 "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."