About the Author's- Britney Rowland

From Ashes to Beauty

(Britney’s Story)

God's perspective and His truth have come to mean everything to me. His truth has set me free, and He continues to redeem every moment of pain, trauma, and loss I've experienced. One reason His perspective means so much to me is because my vision and perception had been so skewed because of abuse I faced in my life. In response to years of trauma, I created a list of rules that changed my life in a very negative way. Most devastating of these life altering rules was to not speak. From age ten till a couple months into Mercy, silence was a protective hideout for me where I thought I was safe inside my secrets. I played mind games and got lost in dissociation until I no longer knew what was reality. On the inside I was frighteningly suicidal and self-destructive. I hated myself and considered myself to be a monster. I cannot even count the amount of suicide attempts I took on my life. All I know is by the grace of God, I kept waking up the next day. When I began my life changing journey at Mercy, God gave me a vision of Him following me around and as I took the overdoses, He reached into my stomach and took them out. And I truly don't doubt that He did, because I know that I shouldn't be alive. When I walked into the doors at Mercy, I started one of the most challenging, yet rewarding journey's I'd ever embark on. The transformation was slow and steady, but God took the impossible and made it possible. The secrets began pouring out and God began healing my heart. He taught me the importance of speaking the truth with my powerful words. He changed my perceptions of Him, of myself, and of life itself. I once had a life that I could no longer bear to live. Now I have a life that I am passionate to live for the Kingdom of God. He truly turned my mourning into dancing and gave me beauty for ashes. And praise be to God, He continues to!

Since Mercy, God has opened the doors to many amazing adventures. I have a heart for missions and have spent considerable time on the mission field. God has blessed me to be able to serve Mercy Ministries by giving my testimony and volunteering at events. Currently I am a student at William Jessup University finishing my degree in Psychology/Community Mental Health. I have a huge heart to mentor and encourage other grads from the program. It is a unique experience to transition out of Mercy, and I think in many ways we are best equipped to serve and encourage each other. That is my heart for this blog... to serve my sisters.

God Bless you all, and hope to hear from you.