This blog is meant to be a source of encouragement for people needing hope. God has completely transformed my life and I just want to share the great things He has done and continues to do. What God has done for me, He will do for anyone who sincerely seeks Him with their whole heart!
My life drastically changed at the age of 16 when my dad made the decision to leave. For years he didn’t make any effort to keep in contact with me. As a young girl who had been very close to her dad, that destroyed me as a young person. My mother and I immediately jumped into survival mode. I spent the next 20+ years falling into a deep pit of depression and alcoholism. I did not know God back then. At the age of 44, the depression and drinking were really taking their toll. I was reaching the end of my rope. I was in a mentally abusive relationship and I was tormented by suicidal thoughts more than ever. I had already given my heart to Jesus Christ a few years back, but I was still struggling (It is clear to me now that I was still struggling, because I had not fully surrendered my life yet).
After ending up in the hospital after a night of binge drinking in early 2010, I fully surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I guess it usually takes something drastic to wake people up. Well, I’m thankful for that giant wakeup call and I’m glad I didn’t ignore it. It could have been my last chance, I really felt my time on this earth was running out. I was finally ready to give up my will and follow His will instead. God gave me a reason to live and I am grateful.
God’s timing is always perfect. He has done amazing miracles since. He has cured me. He has healed my heart. He filled the giant hole in my heart with His amazing love. I’m no longer walking in darkness and the emptiness is gone. I’m celebrating a little more than nine years (two in 2012 when I started this blog) of sobriety and six months experiencing freedom from depression! Jesus has set me free and I am on a journey of a lifetime. I pray that by sharing from this once broken heart, that maybe, just maybe someone out there will be encouraged by it. God’s power is real and anybody can have His power to change. They just have to want it and go for it!
Thank you for reading my blog. May you find encouragement through it, may God speak to you and bless you through it!
Keeping Hope Alive † 
So glad to hear of how God rescued you from a life of desperation and depression. We, as humans, always seek something to fill the void in our lives that only God can fill. You are a walking testimony of the power of God to work in a life that is so close to giving up. God bless you for sharing your journey with Him with others!
Thank you for “liking” my blog on Praying in the Spirit.
May God continue to bless your life with His abundance for your every need!
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Thank you! It sure isn’t easy sharing like this, but the Lord put it on my heart to do so. I know there are many people out there who can relate. I pray the Lord reaches their hearts through this blog. BTW, really loving your blog posts. Thanks again.
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I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! The instructions for the award can be found on my blog at aviesplace.wordpress.com. Congratulations!
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Thank you Avanell, you’re sweet. I will try to get to this soon. I’m afraid I’m not very good at this sort of thing. Just wanted you to know that I truly appreciate it. Bless you.
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Your welcome, Deb! Keep on blogging, you’re doing a great job!
Blessings to you!
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Deb, I am honored to nominate you for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. I appreciate how you follow the direction of the Holy Spirit in inspiring your readers! You may pick up your award at aviesplace.wordpress.com. Copy and Paste the Award to your blog and follow the rules of acceptance. God Bless!
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Hi Deb,
I have really enjoyed reading your posts. I just started blogging a little over a week ago so I am humbled and grateful for your willingness to read my posts. I am in a discerning process at the moment – I am a Navy Chaplain who is in the process of returning back to the civilian world. I have rediscovered a deep passion for infusing hope into people, especially people overcoming addictions and haven’t settled on how I want to continue doing this so when people like you take the time to read my post and respond, it really is very encouraging. BTW how in the world did you find my blogsite (I am new to this world so I know I haven’t done any serious marketing).
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Hi Coach,
Thank you for your kind message. You caught my attention when you posted a comment after mine on Heather Kopp’s “I’m Scared” post. I looked at your blog and saw that it was pretty new and I just thought it was a good start and I decided to follow it. I am honored that you have chosen to follow mine as well. I consider myself a new blogger. I just write what I feel the Lord prompting me to write. It’s been a difficult journey but an amazing one. God has been blessing me so much through it. I look forward to reading your posts and I pray for many blessings as you return to the civilian world bringing much needed hope to people like me!
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