A Tapestry of Love

I woke up this morning with a brief thought. Who would I be if I didn’t experience domestic violence from my ex?

It was a random thought. But I allowed my mind to stew on it a bit.

As painful as that season of life was, Jesus’s love was overwhelming. It is so overwhelming that I still feel His magnitude of love every single day. Every single day I am showered with his love in a tangible, life-changing way. I’m sure His love was there before, but I didn’t experience it on the level I do now until I was physically and emotionally broken, ashamed, and left to pick up the pieces of my life. I needed to be sensitive to His spirit for my own safety. It was as if I lost one of my senses so my other ones became stronger.

I despise that season of abuse whilst still in awe of how Jesus tangibly stepped into my storm. He held me! He gave me joy as I barricaded myself in my bedroom night after night. He reminded me I was made in His image as I strategically covered bruises on my body. His love comforted me when I was too ashamed to admit to anyone what I was experiencing. His grace helped me to forgive myself for being deceived and to forgive the person who abused me. His boldness gave me the strength to leave. His overwhelming love compelled me to not hide that season even though everything in me wanted to, but to use it to show others who He is. His peace gave me guidance to open my heart to the right person when it was time for me to experience real love.

A true beauty for ashes in real life. When I look back, I see God in his fullness ushering me to safety physically, spiritually, and emotionally.   

That type of love is overwhelming! No one can even get remotely close to the way Jesus has loved me and I find that incredible.

He really wastes nothing.

All the scraps of my life (this is just one of them) are woven together into a beautiful tapestry.

God meticulously continues to knit my story together for His glory!

-Briana Ariel