Lakeisha went in and out of abusive relationships for ten years because she was seeking acceptance and love. She thought that experiencing the pain and the abuse meant she was loved. Throughout this time, she never once asked God for help until one unfateful day when she nearly died in the hands of her abusive boyfriend.
She remembered the fear she felt when her boyfriend pointed a gun to her head and threatened to kill her and himself. In that moment, she called out to God for help.
“I really think God had put his arms around me at that time. I said to Him, ‘God, I need you to help me. I need you to help me because I’m scared,’” Lakeisha recalled in an interview with The 700 Club.
https://www.facebook.com/700club/videos/10155848616446668/
God answered at just the right moment in a surprising way. Just before anything tragic could happen, there was a knock on her door. It was her landlord telling them to leave the house because a gas line was leaking somewhere.
It was that saving grace that jolted Lakeisha to the reality that she has to get out and escape from the abuse. She needed to start a new life with her three children and see herself as someone who can be loved and accepted. More importantly, it was during that moment that she finally had the courage to leave and truly open her heart to God.
“I remember that night thanking God, ‘You saved me. As much as I have been unfaithful to you, and you’re still standing there with your arms wide open.'”
In the days that followed, Lakeisha began to understand that God loves his children regardless of their past and their flaws. Just like her, He loves her despite all the mistakes she has done in the past.
“I couldn’t believe it. I could not believe that he still was there for me. And I remember telling Him, ‘God, just use me. Forgive me, forgive the sins that I’ve committed, God, save me,’” Lakeisha said.
Now a mom of five and happily married to Antonio, Lakeisha is reminding everyone that God has so much love to give. It is His love and saving grace that prompted her to reach out to victims of abuse through her non-profit organization called “Free.”