Introduction
Looking in the mirror becomes a habit in our everyday life, but I doubt anyone ever looks long enough to ask " Do I like what I see?." Now, I am not talking about looks what I am talking about is the deep reflection within. Do you like what you see? Would people like you if they got to see what was really inside you? This was a question that bothered me for a long time because it was one that I couldn't answer. I was a person who was easily manipulated and taken advantage of, I was someone who came off as strong and hard but in the inside I just wanted someone to really love me, I became a girl who was abused so much that I couldn't even recognize it happening anymore. I was that person who always stuck around even after someone neglected me, and for that I looked utterly weak. The issue with this was, I have been in this sort of environment my whole life that I didn't know any other way to live. My whole life I have autopiloted to survival mode, and that's a very dangerous place to stay. So, looking in the mirror I didn't like what I saw and honestly I was disgusted with who I became. Since I can recognize this now it means this is the chance for me to really start becoming who I've been called to be, this is the chance for healing to take place and restore all I've lost. I have an opportunity to finally get myself on track and be who God has intended me to be. This doesn't mean challenges aren't knocking on my door because they are, this doesn't mean that I'll live pain free either. All this means is that I am able to live abundantly because of what I am willing to lay down and walk away from. God has delivered me from my brokenness, he is healing me from the inside out and if it wasn't for him I would be the product of what I have grew up in. I had to choose to rise up and do things differently, but this didn't mean God was going to take me out of my situation. What he needed me to remember is that I have the strength to get up and choose differently, that I have the strength to call on him in my trouble. God needed me to see that I am not a weak little girl hoping someone is gonna sweep me off my feet, and God wanted me to know that I deserve more than I've ever accepted. I may have lost a fair amount of things, but it'll never compare to the blessings coming my way. My life may be a whirlwind of unfortunate events, but I am who I am today because of it. ( Job 42:1-10)
My name is Carly, and that was a snippet into my story. I am hoping you continue reading this book as somewhat of a guide. I'll be very clear, I don't have all the answers but I believe in someone who does and because of that I have gotten through every trial life decided to throw at me. Every disappointment, traumatic event, break up, depressive episode, PTSD and sadly more than I'd like to admit. God rescued me from a place that I didn't even know I was captured in, and I know he can do the same for you. There's billions of people all over this earth, but I am hoping my story reminds you to look in the mirror once and awhile, and see there's more to your story than your situation. I pray that through this story you are able to see God is the one who will fight every battle, and that you know you will see a victory.
BINABASA MO ANG
Beauty from Ashes
Non-Fiction" My name is Carly Miller, and that was somewhat of a sneak peak into my story. I am hoping you continue reading this book as somewhat of a guide. I'll be very clear, I don't have all the answers but I believe in someone who does."
