The one who wars against our soul has been working to destroy the family unit since Genesis. In fact, Genesis is a great book to read to see family dysfunction up close and personal. I have learned a great deal from Genesis regarding people's tendencies, poor choices, and how God responds. God is incredibly forgiving; however, He does not excuse us from the ramifications of our choices, good or bad.

We all come with some sort of baggage. We need the One who created the universe, who breathed life into us, who knit us together in our mothers' wombs, who taught us wisdom in that secret place, and who knows each one of us intimately to affirm His love for us. We all desire to belong and to be loved.

I built large walls around my heart to protect it from pain and disappointment, and I learned to take care of myself and to count only on myself. But that is not where my story ends...

You see, "The God who sees me" Genesis 16:13 was watching, drawing, loving, caring and protecting. His loving kindness was pulling me in, for it is "His kindness that leads us to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

The God of all hope began to fill me with joy and peace as I trusted in Him, and I began to overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. This woman who now writes to bring hope to others has been made new. I am alive in Christ! I am no longer defined by the words depressed, angry, hurt, unwanted, or unloved. I am now called chosen, wanted, beloved, child of the King. God's grace and love saw me, called me and, upon my response to Him, began a work that He will see through to completion. I no longer wander in the darkness, for I have seen a great light.

I am no longer independent, but interdependent, "for we are all Living Stones fitted jointly together" (1 Peter 2:5). I have been healed from fibromyalgia. I have been healed from anger and depression through forgiveness. I am now defined by the words written on the pages of the Bible, and I hide them in my heart. I am now compelled to share the love and hope that is available to every single person who still has breath in him (or her).

"Because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions" (Ephesians 2:4).

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God and that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).

This is my story.

--Nance Fabretti

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