my joy emerges.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
Inhale the sweet fragrance…
my joy emerges.
~ denise marie
Tag: art
my joy emerges.
~ denise marie
Painting imperfectly…
As I am healing, painting has become one of my relaxing pastimes that completely allows me to free my mind and release anxiety.
The need to control every stroke of the paint brush diminishes, as I am no longer self-critical or try to aim for perfection, instead I embrace my vulnerability as I trust myself to just let go. ~denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
The rise…
The rise from depression and anxiety has been a feat in itself. The ebb and flow of the uncomfortable highs and lows of not being able to describe the exact reason for that particular moment of heaviness or the fast pace racing of my mind.
At times my faith seems stronger in the midst of my “fog”, its in those vulnerable moments where I find myself surrendering as I read the words from my favorite book, the verses of hope in my bible seem to jump from the pages, as I grasp onto each message of truth. Its in my realness that I realize, I no longer am depending on my own ability to overcome, but I lean into a deep longing and yearning for the transformation of my heart by the one who calls me his own. The abolishing of “fake it” till you make it or pretending to be “ok”, these strategies no longer work in the midst of my authenticity.
As I grasp the uneasiness of healing from trauma and line up my thoughts and actions to truth, moving forward…my life will never be the same.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
**Artist Credit: Painting called “Rejoice” by monicastewart.com
When enough doesn’t seem to suffice….
When enough doesn’t
seem to suffice,
and shame comes flooding
in like a vengeance
with it’s futile attempt to
keep me bound.
I lean in…
to its liberating way
of stretching me
uncomfortably in the
direction of healing.
the peeling back of
each layer that exposes
a raw area of my heart
that I wasn’t quite ready
to expose.
I lean in…
and take a deep breath
as I stare at the
woman in the mirror,
embracing her with
words of love and
complete acceptance.
~ denise marie
**Artist credit:
Briahna Wenke @artbybri
http://www.artbybri.com
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
International Women’s Day is everyday…says this survivor.
Being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape at 14. I lived most of my life in a fragmented mindset, pieces of my identity hidden behind the shadow of what I only allowed others to see. The secrets were suppressed and the key to that pain was locked away.
The bondage placed upon my life at the early age of 4, was meant to be a death sentence of everything good that my Mother and Grandmother stood for and the love they so lovingly wrapped me in, was now blemished. The curse had been passed down through generations and as much as they tried to protect me from abuse, I experienced this unmentionable pain in the hands of people they trusted.
Years of flashback and triggers haunted me as I covered up the pain through perfectionism, people pleasing, an eating disorder and many other coping mechanisms. Trauma after trauma tried to keep my mind in a self-denial pit of defeat. Blurring my decision making and accepting unhealthy boundaries.
On the outside I appeared to have it ALL together, picture perfect is what some would say. But, on the inside I felt scarred, damaged, worthless, unloveable and broken.
I was lost.
When I chose to face the truth and feel the pain, it was excruciating, literally debilitating and heart wrenching.
I wanted to put it all back in the pretty little box that I secretly kept hidden in the crevices of my heart.
But I couldn’t…the truth was exposed and I had to make a decision, either I was gonna fold or I was gonna fight…and I chose to fight for my freedom.
What does fighting for my freedom look like?
Everyday making a decision to do the next right thing…..in spite of depression, anxiety, ptsd, wanting to isolate, low self esteem, doubt, fear or self sabotage.
The next right thing looks
like…..accountability, intensive therapy, an eating disorder program, Celebrate Recovery: 12-step Christ centered recovery program, reaching out to others who I trust when I need support or a listening ear, prayer…lot’s of prayer, self-care, journaling, spending time with my husband, kids, granddaughter and our dog, walking preferably near salt water with the beach under my feet, fresh air, essential oils, laughter, whole food, supplements, chocolate, reading, drinking water, sipping my cup of coffee in a pretty mug, finding joy and gratitude daily…even when it’s hard and learning to love, accept love and give love.
Above all else, my relationship with God through his son Jesus is how I am learning to view myself through His Word, promises and truth. I am healing.
These are some of the tools, resources and support I have used and some I am still using to help me walk in my freedom.
Everyday I celebrate “international women’s day” as I cheer on other women who are locking arms with others who are overcoming tremendous battles (some in which others may never know about) and are taking one step at a time to courageously become liberated from what tried to destroy her.
My name is denise marie and
I AM no longer held captive…by my childhood secrets, I AM free.
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
#nolongerheldcaptive
She fled from the misrepresentation…of herself.
She sat there within the fear
of her own limitations,
looking away…
afraid of the image that
stared back at her.
She hid and continued to shrink,
until her soul cried out for more.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
Art credit:
@briahnawenke
#artbybriahna
#nolongerheldcaptive
Beauty defined…
Her outward
appearance
does not define
her worth,
for she has
the ability to
see beneath
the surface to
the foundation
of her inner
strength.
She draws
wisdom,
from this
place within,
deciphering
truth from lies,
trading insecurities
for her crown
of beauty,
and upholding
hope over defeat.
~ denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
**Art credit: @artbybriahna https://www.artbybri.com/
Layers upon layers…
As you bravely,
peel back,
each layer,
revealing
the deep roots
of secrets that
have gracefully
been hidden
beneath the pain
of stories untold.
There in this place
is where you have
remained concealed.
Surrender,
and allow
His light
and grace
to heal that
sacred space
in which you’ve
kept hidden.
~denise marie
“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36
**Artist Credit: Briahna Wenke
artbybri.com IG: @artbybriahna
Free yourself…
My Journey Home….to God & Self 