SAVED AND SOBER: celebrating 5 years of god’s faithfulness

Remember, Lord , your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord , are good.

God is merciful. Sometimes when we are walking with Him for a long time, we forget just how kind and compassionate He really is. God is a Redeemer, Restorer, Healer, Provider, and so many other names. He doesn’t just leave us where we are but He rescues us from the pit and places our feet on the rock. He gives us a new identity and shares His unconditional love with us. He takes our bruised and battered hearts and replaces them with His own. He picks us up by the hand and carries us home. 

Recently, I reconnected with someone and heard her story. In that brief retelling of the last decade since I had seen her, I found myself weeping when I came home. She had lived a similar life that I had lived in my past but never got out of it. She is still struggling with the same strongholds that I had gained freedom from. She never met Jesus and fell in love. She went deeper into the pit of despair until she hit her lowest point. 

I was not expecting to meet with her today. The Lord orchestrated the entire encounter so that I could see what His daughter was experiencing and feel the burden on His heart for her. As I began to intercede for her, I realized that I had been set free and my friend was still in bondage to the enemy. That would’ve been me. I can’t fathom the Lord’s great love that rescued me but I was humbled in that moment. 

As I reflected, I thought about how I would be dead if it wasn't for His love. He rescued me from the hell I was living in and gave me an abundant life. He saved me from addiction, sexual immorality, insecurity, self-hatred, depression, unworthiness, and gave me salvation. HE SAVED MY LIFE!

This experience reminded me of God’s faithfulness. When we run to Him, God doesn’t turn His face from us. He doesn’t remember our sinful past. He doesn’t hold onto anger or resentment towards us. He does not shame or condemn us for our sin. No, God remembers us according to His great love! He draws near to the brokenhearted, afflicted, and lonely. He takes back what the enemy has stolen and redeems our lives until we are unrecognizable. We become like Jesus, made in His image as new creations. 

There is still hope! If you are struggling with addiction or any other kind of sin, I want you to know that you are not alone. I was there but look at what the Lord has done with me! I will be 5 years sober in February! Hallelujah! I am no longer depressed or suicidal. I now live in purity and value my body as His temple. I have a restored identity in Jesus and no longer hate myself. I had no prior experience of marketing, business, or other aspects when God gave me this ministry as a gift to steward for Him.

For years I had to fight and battle against the war going on in my mind. I had to sit and wait on God. I had to intercede, go deep into the Word, research, ask for help, and keep going, even when people told me to quit time after time. God healed me from my brokenness and taught me everything I needed to learn. I never gave up on this business because I knew that it wasn’t about me. It was about people like my friend who need the love of Jesus. I have the keys to the kingdom and it’s my responsibility to share the gospel with the world for His glory. 

Today, I celebrate 5 years of God’s faithfulness at Created To Be Loved. I have seen Him do miracles in the last 5 years that will always remind me of His great love for His people. CTBL will live on until the Lord so desires. I pray that you have been touched by His love throughout our time together. May He continue to use this ministry for His glory and help women heal from brokenness through art and storytelling. 

Love Note

My love note for you today is that GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE IN YOUR LIFE! Don’t give up until the end. Have faith until you find out what happens. God will blow your mind with His steadfast love and faithfulness. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and mind. He will never let you down. If He did it for me, He can do it for you.