Yesterday, I got an email from a young woman from half-way across the world, whose story touched my heart. It reminded me that in a powerful way God is at work. With her permission, I wanted to share her story with you because I know it will encourage you and bring you hope. No matter what your past and no matter where you are in your present, God is longing to draw you closer to him: to love you, to transform you, and to heal you. True Love only begins when we encounter the True Lover. Read her story below, and leave her some love and encouragement in the comment section below. — Love, Debra
I’m a young woman, age 22. I just wanted to thank you for your book True Love Dates. It has truly changed my life.
I come from a broken home, with a violent dad and I never really experienced love when I was a kid. When I was 14, I went to a Protestant Mission, in France (I’m French!) – because the situation at home had became too difficult and dangerous.
At that time, I was very rebellious, angry and broken. I spent most of my time with the  guys who were also hosted at this house and who were involved in drugs, alcohol or crimes. I didn’t believe in love and I had no hope. Fortunately, a minister of the Mission decided to take care personally of me, he was very patient and caring.
Little by little God started to heal me even if I wasn’t converted yet. After some difficult teenage years (I was smoking drugs, flirting with guys and trying to hurt/kill myself), the Lord saved me, here’s how:
When I was 17, I went to a party and it ended very badly. I realized at that moment that I had to make a choice: live in the world without God, unable to do good on my own or dedicate my life to him. So I gave my life to Him and became a Christian. Times have been difficult since, but day after day, God changed my heart. He healed me, showed me what was wrong in my life, gave me friends and a new family in Church. My past started to fade and I discovered love, true love.
At the beginning of the year, I read True Love Dates. I really wanted to know “how Christians date” as I had no landmarks for this. Your book was like fresh water!
Getting to know myself, working on my past, realizing that the Lord loves me the way I am, learning about red flags and making the right choices…there are so many things I could tell. I LOVED IT!! It has completely changed the way I see relationships and love, and I’m so thankful to God for that.
It has really been part of re-building myself. Today, my vision of love is renewed. I always thought I would end up married to violent man or not married at all. Now I know that God loves me and that He can give me a healthy relationship. He has done so many things in my life and changed my heart – I was desperate but He’s almighty. He used True Love Dates to show me His plan of love for my life.
So thank you again, Debra!!!
__________
Debra Fileta is a Professional Counselor, national speaker, and author of the book True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of Your Life. You may also recognize her voice from her 100+ articles at Relevant Magazine or Crosswalk.com! She’s also the creator of this True Love Dates Blog, where she writes candidly about dating, relationships, and how to find true love! Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter!
MORE FROM DEBRA and TRUE LOVE DATES:
*If you’re looking for hope and healing in your own view of love, dating, and relationships, I’d be honored if you’d give True Love Dates a read for yourself. My prayer is that God would continue using it to point people to Love.
**If you’re single and living in the Houston, TX area, come out to Woodlands Church this weekend, October 4th, and join hundreds of others by attending the True Love Dates Event, where I’ll be speaking about the person you never thought you would date, with an interactive Q&A time to follow. The event is FREE –Â Register HERE! I’m looking forward to meeting you face-to-face!!
