Hello,
My name is Danielle and this is my testimony. A testimony of God’s grace, faith and hope. I am 30 years old, married, with 3 beautiful children. I am a grateful, recovered meth addict. I’ve been meth-free for 27 months. Amazing right?
A lot of people ask how hard is it. It’s not! It was hard being an addict. I never realized how much life has to offer, even on a bad day it’s still great. Life is a gift too many of us take for granted. Freedom too.
I’ve been to 13 different facilities in 4 different states and have been arrested 20 some times. Crazy huh? Actually it was insane doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results.
I hurt everyone I loved including myself. I had no respect for the law or myself. I blamed everyone but me. I was angry and on a mission to destroy myself and was doing a great job at it. I wasn’t always that way though.
I was an all-American girl believe it or not. My dad was a preacher, my mom had a great career. I made good grades and played every sport and loved to sing. Still do.
I started using meth when I was 20. Just to fit in I guess and drown out life. It took me ‘til this last time being arrested to realize I was going to spend the rest of my life in prison or die. I had to let go of the bondage.
Jail and prison was a blessing for me. I made peace with myself and most of all forgiveness. I had to forgive me. God put me there to set me down and open my eyes. I was so blessed to go to jail. I know you’re probably thinking what? How? God knows what he is doing. I just opened my heart and spirit and let God’s will be done - even in jail and prison I was at peace. Two years I had to do and let me tell you it saved my life.
The Bible is my strength. I rely on God to get me through and guide me in all I do. I know I could never take it back but it’s never too late to make it right.
Have you ever seen a butterfly from the beginning in its cocoon? That’s me. I was a cocoon slowly I opened, then more, then a little more. Today I am a beautiful butterfly.
No one wants to be an addict. I certainly did not. I just reached for help and God’s hands were everywhere.
Today I am back to myself where God wants me. My family and friends are learning to trust me and doors are opening for me. I am going back to school and plan on being a counselor for teens. I am very happy. I just had to let go. I had to realize God wasn’t taking something from me he was giving me something. A gift. The chance to start over.
God was there to mend my heart and soul and break this terrible addiction I had. But I had to let Him. I couldn’t change where I was or who I was but I can change who I am today. I started over. I gave it to God. Left it right there and walked away.
Never lose hope. I want people to know that. That without God I don’t know where I’d be. Most likely dead. Never forget when you have lost your faith, when God is no longer real to you, go back, go back to the last place you saw him he will be waiting on you there. Just like He was for me.
It’s time for forgiveness. Forgive. Be forgiven. And God will fill you with a peace beyond all understanding. God will turn the biggest mess into something good. God has lots of plans for me yet. My road is just begun. And no, I am not perfect, not even near it. I’ve had setbacks and I will have more. It’s important to remember not how many times I fall but it’s how many times I let God pick me up that matter.
I’ve already been through the darkest places and now it’s just time for me to start looking for the stars.
God bless you
Your sister in Christ
Danielle Hancock