From the outside world, the family was like any other. Within the walls of the home was a completely different story. Set in a common suburban neighborhood with extraordinary financial struggles and intense pressure between Mom and Dad’s marriage. Divorce was imminent. Mom exhausted herself to get her love from her husband until Dad’s desertion left the family in ruinous chaos. Mom lost all self-control. Her temper flared and the unwanted hatred for herself and Dad turned into rage, violence, and unending terror towards the children. Poverty overtook us, malnutrition was not uncommon, and unconditional love was an estranged enemy. Born into this tragedy, I was two months old upon Dad’s leaving.

I take you on a narrative journey through my childhood. The rage, devastation, and hatred are exposed to what really happened. However, intertwined with this constant chaos is a spiritual awakening that brings an amazing grace, freedom, and redemption. Nevertheless, every day was wrought with surviving until the next. Yet, a close friend that I come to know, The Peacemaker, the God who comes close to us and deeply entrenches Himself amid each storm of life, made Himself known through the perils of my upbringing.