These Footprints Are Mine (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798831577822)

Everyone has their own story of survival. This book isn't meant to diminish others' stories. It is an account of mine. The domestic abuse, the beatings, the whippings, the knocked out teeth, and the broken bones. It is my true account and includes all the parties involved herein. There are a lot of sayings people throw out to help you along the way, like "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "Every cloud has a silver lining."... Well, I say that's horseshit. When you're on the receiving end of abuse, your eyes are swollen shut, coughing up blood, dizzy, and vomiting. The last thing you want or need is to be placated with positive affirmations or, now commonly given a "Thumbs Up" on social media. If you are remotely like me and you are reading this story, you will ask yourself. "If God is good, where was he during all of this?" To an extent, you would be right to ask; I know I did. But I tell you, he was there. He stepped in front of me even before the first punch. Fifty-three years later, he is still there, cradling his son. He has listened to my cries, my curses, my confessions, and my praises. One of the very first times I was struck, I cried out to the Lord to make it stop. I heard Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Now, I don't recall if the Lord spoke to me in that moment or if it was my mind rattled from the pummeling that brought forth the words that filled my head, but they were there, and they stayed there throughout my life.