After breaking free from a domestic violence relationship, which lasted nearly 10 years, I knew I had to seek the right people and help I needed to be restored and healed from my brokenness. I knew it would be hard because I had always tried to be in control of everything I did, as well as how I felt and dealt with things.

My first major decision was to attend Bible College. It was there I found my spiritual sister, Anna. I found out that her family had a women's ministry that specialized in helping to heal, restore and empower broken women. I knew that I wanted to help women from backgrounds similar to my own, but did not know how to do this! Or indeed, if I could.

11 months after graduating, after much thought, prayer and prompting by the holy spirit, I gave up everything (my house, the job I was in and all my worldly possessions) to join my spiritual sister's family ministry. I moved into their home and remained under the covering of my newly-found spiritual parents.

This was a huge step for me as I had been so independent all of my life, never receiving help from others, even when I needed it the most. I had relied on my own way of living in order to survive, but for the first time in 12 years I began to trust again.

First I had to learn how to be still. It is true when the Lord said 'Be still and know that I am God'! Being still was a very difficult period in my journey! It did not come easily to me; I had never been still in my whole life, so at first it was a real struggle. In the end, it was all worth it because it allowed me to listen, hear all I needed to, and digest what I was being taught.

It was a time of restoring, renewal, re-education and the gaining of understanding in many areas which helped to reveal the real me. I have now felt and know that unconditional love does not hurt or cause pain. It does not reject or humiliate, it does not curse or look down on and it does not and never will reject you for who you truly are!

I began to realise that when in a relationship there should be a lot more;

1.Communication: This was not in my abusive relationship. To talk to one another, clearly and often builds love, guidance and trust. It also avoids all misunderstandings and assumptions that can destroy the quality of the relationship.

2. Unconditional Love: is a priority! My relationship was filled with possessiveness and jealousy, and a lot of insecurity. The environment we lived in and the people we were around often made this worse, but if we had unconditional love we could have withstood many trials.

3. Purpose: There has to be a purpose for both parties in a relationship and helping each other to fulfill those purposes in life should be our ultimate goals. This 'birthing each other out' should take place if you can agree to come alongside each other and practice submitting to the other person's needs. My relationship was often one-sided, so it became impossible to fulfill joint goals or missions .

In my healing journey I also chose to put aside all the so-called 'normal' things, i.e. work, socializing, friendships, and watching certain television programmes, for a period of time. I changed the type of music I used to listen to and the films I watched, even the influences that I had in my life I cut off for a season in time. This was to protect me from the temptations and distractions of my old way of life. But it also helped me to establish good foundations for my future and the purpose in ministry work God was revealing to me.

With consistent encouragement and mentoring, gaining of knowledge and understanding in many aspects of life I was able to break down the barriers I'd put up. I began to build strength and security in who I really was and to move on from my past hurts. This unconditional love also helped me to remove the mask of hardness and self-defence that I wore to protect myself. I could begin to see the real me breaking through - a precious woman of God!

I am now in training to be a Chemical Dependency Recovery Minister and help other woman who are going through the pain and trials of drug abuse, to find complete healing in Christ.

Through God's Grace and love I have discovered my purpose in life and I am now running my race to the finish line. I am so much stronger and have such peace and joy that no one can take away me!!

I have been uplifted and strengthened through the teachings I have received from the Bible and I know how to understand and to read and gain wisdom from it like never before. I have learnt how to pray and what to pray for, when to pray and how to speak over situations and circumstances.

I feel renewed and have such a different outlook on life knowing with certainty that I will and can achieve all that is destined for me. My faith is strong and solid and I am continuing to draw closer to the Lord, learning how to serve Him more. My Faith consists of true belief, love, obedience to God's ways, consistency and patience.

Also, humility is needed, and my life is not about me any more it's all about helping others!

In order to see lasting change in your life you must have a willingness to be formed and moulded into who God has made you to be. All these lessons and growth have transformed me into the woman I am today.

I can see clearly and I am now walking into my beautiful NEW HORIZON!

My encouragement to all of you Precious ladies, young and old is this;

- Never allow anyone or anything to hold you back from seeing and walking into your horizon!
- Never allow anyone to stop you from being you!
- Be careful when making choices because they could lead you down a road that is hard to turn away from!
- Discover your life's true purpose! - Ask for help and guidance from the right people - Don't do things in your own strength, but all things in the strength of Christ!
You will and have the power to come out of circumstances and situations that you may be in and there is a NEW HORIZON waiting for you!

Make that choice today; you will come through with peace, strength, joy and love not just for yourself but enough to give to others! Look ahead stay focused and don't allow your 'now' to dictate your future.

You can and will overcome anything in this life through Christ Jesus who strengthens you!