I am "Deborah's Freedom"!
With great humility and undisputed gratitude "Deborah's Freedom" celebrated over ten thousand "followers" on FaceBook and ten thousand "likes" are soon to follow. The other venues of social exposure for "Deborah's Freedom" include Twitter, Instagram, a "closed group" on FaceBook ("Deborah's Freedom" - "The Conversation") and my off-line evals keep me pretty busy - and I would not want it any other way! This BLOG - however is my flag-ship - as I can expound on subjects that are abbreviated on the other platforms.
This was my celebratory message that was pinned on FaceBook:
When I first launched "Deborah's Freedom" I was painfully apprehensive and even a bit fearful. Originally, a catharsis of my own thoughts was the intent - but I quickly learned of my audience. Being a domestic abuse survivor was the benchmark for my dialogue - AT FIST - then I learned of the general nature of pain. Pain escapes no one. How pain is processed is the thing! I was an advocate for "holding things in" until I found that the internal turmoil was literally making me sick!!!!! I went to counselling - more than once - and I do not regret it no one little bit.
"Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a glorified dating space! "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a venue for arguing scriptures. I am not - nor do I pretend to be a theologian BUT I do go to the Bible for my daily instruction. "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a bunch of angry women who hate men!! (If statistics prove true - "Deborah's Freedom" hosts a 47% male viewer-ship). I assure you, "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a bunch of cougars looking for a "pretty young thing"! ... many of the women and men are seeking relationships on a higher level! Men are said to be from Mars - and Women are noted to be from Venus - and the truth is - there are TWO different langues between men and women. "Deborah's Freedom" seeks to open a new level of PERSPECTIVE!! Sometimes we just need to look at the "same things - only different". Finally, I am NOT always right - and the followers are quick to bring me to task - and I am very good with constructive criticism. Thing is - I am grateful that God has chosen ME for such a time as this. If you are reading this right now - there is a smorgasbord of places your eyes could land and God had it so fit for you to land on here - "Deborah's Freedom"! Thank you, Jesus!!
From time to time people ask to "SEE" the person behind "Deborah's Freedom" and HERE I AM! My intent is to NOT make this a forum about "ME" as much as it was about YOU. YOU have a voice as loud as my own - I am just steering this machine called "Deborah's Freedom". I am incredibly transparent about certain aspects of my life - while I remain private about others. Some things in life are not intended for public consumption, scrutiny or opinion. If I can "help" - PIECES - of the saga that makes up "Deborah" are revealed - but rest assured volumes of books could not fully contain what it took for me to write to you today.
I think people minimize the authenticity of their existence. I know I do. Before I started the social media adventure - I never imagined that people would squirrel themselves into an abyss and suffer on the level that they do. The confidentiality I am given literally amazes me. While I imagined my own plight was a dreadful one - my life pales in comparison to some of the details shared with me. Sometimes it is difficult to relax my mind thinking of what "someone else" was enduring. Clearly, I take their issues before the Lord but to imagine "walking in "THEIR" shoes" was painful to digest. Learning from my counselling methods of processing information has been life-giving.
Onward and Upward!!
While October is the month that we honor Domestic Abuse Awareness I so wish a greater initiative was placed on this subject. Yes, it is great that domestic abuse is "out of the closet" and is recognized as a "real problem" in our society - so much more needs to be done. I, personally, believe that the biggest misconception is that domestic abuse is simply the point of impact. The larger scope is the bouts of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) associated withit (for instance). There is such a downward spiral for men and women who have been victims. I feel for works and volunteers at facilities and shelters. Truth is - by the time a person is admitted into a shelter - the damage is more severe than one could imagine. While this BLOG is not 100% directed towards the plight of domestic abuse - it is hard to not "mention it" - because I lived through it! I often tell people that I was present at my own murder - but I just didn't die! Now that my photo is attached - look at it again - YES, I know what it feels like to be choked! I know what it feels like to have my head pushed through a wall! I know what it feel like to have that ever so popular "silent cry" in midnight! I know what it feels like to have your credit destroyed. Unfortunately, I also know what it feels like to stand in front of the casket of my abuser. He died of 4th stage throat cancer. I take no joy in his death - I do NOT miss the drama I endured.
I am NOT the poster child for pain. I am not an advocate for anything more than the knowledge of the sweet taste of FREEDOM!! Freedom DOES cost! The journey to FREEDOM is not "take two pills and I will call you in the morning"! It is hard consistent work.
I smile now because I am able to reach back and help others. Bishop Jakes said in one of his most prolific messages: "The only one that can rescue someone who has been broken is someone who has been broken themselves". I have empathy and compassion for others because I know what it feels like to feel alone. I know how big PRIDE can get too! Heck, my daughter has graduated college and people that "thought" they knew me most NEVER IMAGINED i went through what I did. It was my SECRET!!
I feel CALLED to what I am doing with "Deborah's Freedom". Let's be real clear here. I fought God long and hard 'caues I DID NOT want to do this!!! GOD WON!! The more I settle in to HIS Plan for my life - the less the struggle has become for this assignment He has called me to.
Go ahead, look at my photo again. I mean look at it. This is the face of survival. This is the face of a woman that turned her face toward the wall and called out to God - and God answered!
This is the face of freedom. "Deborah's Freedom"!
This was my celebratory message that was pinned on FaceBook:
"Deborah's Freedom" - can you help me CELEBRATE - because I MUST share this celebration with all you! After MANY YEARS and MANY TEARS - God has given US this VICTORY! In just a few short years - we are CELEBRATING - "OVER" TEN THOUSAND FOLLOWERS on FaceBook! Ten Thousand "likes" are soon to come. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS are reached by "Deborah's Freedom" - seeds are being planted every day!
PRAISE GOD!!
Excuse me for the tears!! A moment to cry is in order here!!I would be callous to omit heartfelt APPRECIATION to one of my mentors - Rabbi Stansbury. When I was in a seemingly HORRIBLE life transition, Rabbi Stansbury said "Daughter, your pain "IS" your purpose". Listen here, I am a SKILLED executive professional but it also consumed most of my time and energy = with little time to give Glory to God or have a meaningful prayer life. It was without question that my life was making an impact - but God had greater plans - God wanted to expand my territory beyond the walls of my profession. YIKES (...i thought to myself)!I fought God HARD! I "reasoned" with God - after all I imagined "I knew what was best for me". "Walking on Water" was not in my job description! God TOLD me to "birth" a forum like "Deborah's Freedom" MANY YEARS AGO - but I was just "too busy". Through a series of life changing events which included the death of my mom, my dad, my (two) brothers and my daughter's father - I had to become sensitized to my true "CALLING". When you stand in front of the casket of people you love - it just "changes" your PERSPECTIVE on life, doesn't it? I need not tell you I fought - but "GOD WON"!! With uplifted hands... "I SURRENDERED"!
Now that I have surrendered - I have also accepted the CALL OF GOD ON MY LIFE! I diligently pray to walk worthy of His CALLING on my life. I do not take it lightly that God has chosen ME for such a time as this. I love ALL OF YOU much more than you could ever know!! Some of you have become "FRIENDS" to me and I can "FEEL" your prayers. The person that encourages sometimes needs to be encouraged!Certainly I do not know what the future holds for "Deborah's Freedom" - all I know is ......God said to "BUILD IT" and he would "BLESS IT" abd do the increase!! HIS mission is being accomplished!!
Take a GOOD LOCK at my photo. No, look again. "This" is what "Deborah's Freedom" looks like. Freedom has a price - I paid a tremendous price to nervously compose these words to you this morning!!
I appreciate you - "ALL" OF YOU!!
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Please, help me celebrate!!
When I first launched "Deborah's Freedom" I was painfully apprehensive and even a bit fearful. Originally, a catharsis of my own thoughts was the intent - but I quickly learned of my audience. Being a domestic abuse survivor was the benchmark for my dialogue - AT FIST - then I learned of the general nature of pain. Pain escapes no one. How pain is processed is the thing! I was an advocate for "holding things in" until I found that the internal turmoil was literally making me sick!!!!! I went to counselling - more than once - and I do not regret it no one little bit.
"Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a glorified dating space! "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a venue for arguing scriptures. I am not - nor do I pretend to be a theologian BUT I do go to the Bible for my daily instruction. "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a bunch of angry women who hate men!! (If statistics prove true - "Deborah's Freedom" hosts a 47% male viewer-ship). I assure you, "Deborah's Freedom" is NOT a bunch of cougars looking for a "pretty young thing"! ... many of the women and men are seeking relationships on a higher level! Men are said to be from Mars - and Women are noted to be from Venus - and the truth is - there are TWO different langues between men and women. "Deborah's Freedom" seeks to open a new level of PERSPECTIVE!! Sometimes we just need to look at the "same things - only different". Finally, I am NOT always right - and the followers are quick to bring me to task - and I am very good with constructive criticism. Thing is - I am grateful that God has chosen ME for such a time as this. If you are reading this right now - there is a smorgasbord of places your eyes could land and God had it so fit for you to land on here - "Deborah's Freedom"! Thank you, Jesus!!
From time to time people ask to "SEE" the person behind "Deborah's Freedom" and HERE I AM! My intent is to NOT make this a forum about "ME" as much as it was about YOU. YOU have a voice as loud as my own - I am just steering this machine called "Deborah's Freedom". I am incredibly transparent about certain aspects of my life - while I remain private about others. Some things in life are not intended for public consumption, scrutiny or opinion. If I can "help" - PIECES - of the saga that makes up "Deborah" are revealed - but rest assured volumes of books could not fully contain what it took for me to write to you today.
I think people minimize the authenticity of their existence. I know I do. Before I started the social media adventure - I never imagined that people would squirrel themselves into an abyss and suffer on the level that they do. The confidentiality I am given literally amazes me. While I imagined my own plight was a dreadful one - my life pales in comparison to some of the details shared with me. Sometimes it is difficult to relax my mind thinking of what "someone else" was enduring. Clearly, I take their issues before the Lord but to imagine "walking in "THEIR" shoes" was painful to digest. Learning from my counselling methods of processing information has been life-giving.
Onward and Upward!!
While October is the month that we honor Domestic Abuse Awareness I so wish a greater initiative was placed on this subject. Yes, it is great that domestic abuse is "out of the closet" and is recognized as a "real problem" in our society - so much more needs to be done. I, personally, believe that the biggest misconception is that domestic abuse is simply the point of impact. The larger scope is the bouts of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) associated withit (for instance). There is such a downward spiral for men and women who have been victims. I feel for works and volunteers at facilities and shelters. Truth is - by the time a person is admitted into a shelter - the damage is more severe than one could imagine. While this BLOG is not 100% directed towards the plight of domestic abuse - it is hard to not "mention it" - because I lived through it! I often tell people that I was present at my own murder - but I just didn't die! Now that my photo is attached - look at it again - YES, I know what it feels like to be choked! I know what it feels like to have my head pushed through a wall! I know what it feel like to have that ever so popular "silent cry" in midnight! I know what it feels like to have your credit destroyed. Unfortunately, I also know what it feels like to stand in front of the casket of my abuser. He died of 4th stage throat cancer. I take no joy in his death - I do NOT miss the drama I endured.
I am NOT the poster child for pain. I am not an advocate for anything more than the knowledge of the sweet taste of FREEDOM!! Freedom DOES cost! The journey to FREEDOM is not "take two pills and I will call you in the morning"! It is hard consistent work.
I smile now because I am able to reach back and help others. Bishop Jakes said in one of his most prolific messages: "The only one that can rescue someone who has been broken is someone who has been broken themselves". I have empathy and compassion for others because I know what it feels like to feel alone. I know how big PRIDE can get too! Heck, my daughter has graduated college and people that "thought" they knew me most NEVER IMAGINED i went through what I did. It was my SECRET!!
I feel CALLED to what I am doing with "Deborah's Freedom". Let's be real clear here. I fought God long and hard 'caues I DID NOT want to do this!!! GOD WON!! The more I settle in to HIS Plan for my life - the less the struggle has become for this assignment He has called me to.
Go ahead, look at my photo again. I mean look at it. This is the face of survival. This is the face of a woman that turned her face toward the wall and called out to God - and God answered!
This is the face of freedom. "Deborah's Freedom"!
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