Most people go and live by the saying you don’t know what you have until it's gone... But the past year I've quickly learnt that... You won’t believe what you gain when you let it all go. I was an addict to crystal meth, cat, cocaine, mandrax and weed from the age of 15, and for 15 years thereafter, even though I come from a very loving and stable home I quickly found myself living a dark and lonely life on the streets of Johannesburg. It was during these years that I experienced and saw things that most people only see in movies, I spent my time with people who were more lost than I was and did things the 'real' me would never have even thought of. During these dark and lonely times, I met and made a best friend, Jason, we spent a lot of time together, looked out for each other and quickly fell in love. Through the struggle, the need, the danger and the addiction we had each other’s backs.
One morning, the day after meeting wonderful people from Addicts Voice, who took the time to chat with me and pray for me, I pulled Jason aside and told him I was going to rehab, with this came an ultimatum that he may never see me again unless he did the same...
I left Jason behind on the streets and left for healing and rehabilitation. During the first month of this journey I met God, who then became my best friend, I spoke to Him about Jason and said if it was His plan, we would be together again. God knew my heart and what I needed, and to His plan Jason started his own journey of rehabilitation and healing and also gave his life to God.
Three months later we were engaged, and three months after that, once we completed our separate journeys on overcoming addiction, we moved into our own humble home, surrounded by great people, yet there were still fears and lies I told myself, like... you can’t do that, you will never get there, you have to start at the bottom,... etc, etc.....
I prayed about it a lot, and realized that God has given me another chance, not only in life but in relationships, choices and success, why would I want to give that back by letting the devil win regarding my negative thoughts.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY, WILL DEFINE OUR RESULTS TOMORROW.
So I put my fears and lies behind me, I prayed, I planned and I went through with it, trusting and believing that should it be of Gods plan for me, it will come to be. Jason and I are now 15 months sober, 10 months out of rehab, we are both very happy, still so in love, more than ever.
Jason is working hard at completing his trade as an electrician. Since leaving rehab we have not had a need for anything, God has provided us with it all.
At the end of July we became business owners, I opened my own salon after believing I couldn't do it. In just two short weeks, God provided the finances as well as all the building materials needed for this dream to become a reality.
And the cherry on top...
The people that had once given up on us, my daughter, our parents, our siblings and families are now such a big part of our lives.
We have great friends that we love dearly who are and have been a constant supply of support and love, and with them we have joined hands in becoming part of the faith it. family.
So you see what I'm trying to say is … let go...
Let go of all your fears, your doubts and those negative thoughts, give them all to God, because since I've done that and believed that He will only do what's best for me, because He is the only one who knows what's best for me...
I AM NOW THE BEST ME!!!
ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!
My name is Lauren Christine Blom
My life is a true testimony of God’s Grace, love and blessings.