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A testimony from Grace Home

Being the middle child of three while my Father had nothing to do with attending Church, I recall my mother doing the best she could to get us up, fed, dressed, and there as often as possible.  We grew up exposed to the faith, but it was certainly never spoken about in our home.  We also were enrolled in Vacation Bible School once in a while during the summers.  We asked the blessing at mealtime and said our nighttime prayers all because of my mother, in which looking back, I thank God for it and her.  It was being instilled little by little.  I recall as well going to church with my best friend from grade school and going forward with a slew of other folk because I felt moved to do so but in no way fully understanding exactly what it meant.  From then on, I didn’t choose to outright live for the Lord although I knew the difference between right and wrong.  Also, in grade school, I began to dabble a little with snuff, dip, and alcohol.  All of which fell under the experimental bracket.  Soon after, in high school, I began to drink and smoke cigarettes most weekends.  All of which began to fall under the social bracket.  My parents hardly ever drank; however, both sides of my family, going back over the years, have dealt with the generational curse of addiction. 

Anyway, the time came for me to go off to college, the first of five in my immediate family.  Overall, up until then I was a very high achiever, both academically and in school related extracurricular activities including team sports.  So the day finally came when I flew the coop leaving the nest finding myself to be a miniscule part of a 15,000-student campus in a big city where no one knew my name, which was the exact opposite of what I was used to.  I felt so lost.  I felt I no longer fit in anywhere.  Here came identity crisis #1.  So along with the few I did know, we ventured out, not taking long at all to fall right into the party scene.  There was a slow progression over the next decade and a half that took me from the social to the mandatory bracket where I literally no longer knew how to function without some sort of mind altering substance in my system.

In lieu of my using, I found myself in and out of jobs and relationships.  If I burned bridges anywhere or with anyone, I would just move right on to the next one.  There no longer was any stability or security in my life.  Any trust, respect, morals, values, or standards I was raised upon, were slowly but surely falling to the wayside.  Anxiety and depression began to overtake me and I no longer knew how to cope with reality.  In hindsight, when my parents divorced after 29 years of marriage, things really spiraled downward while experiencing identity crisis #2.  Anger, violence, rage and such started to well up inside of me.  My escape continued to be found in alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy relationships with men.  In addition, I totally began to isolate myself from those who truly cared about me and wanted nothing but the best for me.

Basically, at this point, I was indeed out of control.  By way of appeasing my boyfriend and my family at the time, I found myself at a secular treatment center in 2001.  I did ok for about 6 months then faltered again.  By way of the Lord’s ongoing orchestration, my mother learned of Grace Home through her church and so I went in 2002.  Before coming, I professed my faith in Jesus and knew in my heart I needed God’s help if there were to be any changes for the better in my life.  I was so broken and so alone.  Up until then, I figured I had ruined my chances with Him.  Honestly, I hated the world and everybody in it and in retrospect, myself too all the while.  Death was knocking at my door.  While at Grace, the veil began to be lifted.  He showed Himself in ways that convinced me without a shadow of a doubt He was nothing other than a good God, that He loved me, that He truly did want to have a personal relationship with me, and that life no longer had to be full of despair, turmoil, pain, and frustration. 

Upon leaving, I again fell short and battled with sin in my life.  I believe the enemy at that point was going to try anything to keep me under his demise and away from the Lord.  But through the Lord’s appointment, His word, perseverance, patience, a lot of prayer, encouragement from others, and His strength, courage, grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, and wisdom, I finally found my home in Him.  By His power and might, I believe wholeheartedly there has been complete and total deliverance from addiction.  The blood of His Son had broken my chains of bondage.  Oct 30th marked 7½ years, and after searching for His divine purpose in my new life in Christ, he eventually opened the door for me to join staff here at Grace.  So many miracles have been performed over the years and so many blessings have been bestowed while walking with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Relationships have been restored and joy, peace, and contentment have come over me like never before.  Knowing Him truly is the best high you could ever experience.  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM!! 

I am beyond grateful for all He has done and for bringing me back to Grace to serve Him and His children.  I would love to have included more of the intimate details along the way, but we may very well have ended up with a book. 

All that matters most is that I have divinely experienced victory in Jesus alone and you can too. 

Godspeed,
Kelly A. King .......................................................................................................................