When I was 19 I had already been through years of childhood sexual abuse, an abusive marriage and divorce and was being pursued by a married worship leader with kids barely younger than me. He told me he was separated from his wife (lie) and that he loved me (also a lie). I fell for it and we had a very brief affair. Upon discovery of this affair, I was called into my pastors office. He sat me down (mind you I’m 19 years old) and asked me “Do you know what the Bible calls you?....a whore. The Bible calls you a whore.” This was rock bottom for me. I was a meek little thing back then, so naive, so sheltered and so vulnerable. I was screaming for help but no one was listening. I went through a stage of serious depression after that but eventually I pulled myself out of it and moved forward. If you saw me today you would never guess my past. My face doesn’t reveal what I’ve been through or the roads I’ve had to walk completely alone. Today I am fierce. Today I am in charge. It’s taken me a looong time to get where I am but I’m here and I’m proud of the hard steps I’m taking. I remind myself daily that I’m strong and smart and gorgeous and no one can take any of that away.....I know because I’ve watched them try, and fail.