Brooke Lynn - Raised by Strangers: One womans spiritual journey home

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R aised by St r angers

one womans spiritual journey home

Brooke Lynn

Copyright

Copyright 2014, by Brooke Lynn

Raised by Strangers

Brooke Lynn

www.brookelynnbooks.com

brookelynnmail@gmail.com

Published 2014, by Torchflame Books an Imprint of Light Messages

www.lightmessages.com

Durham, NC 27713 USA

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-61153-128-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61153-127-5

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 International Copyright Act, without the prior written permission except in brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The events, places and conversations in this book are from my memories of them. In order to maintain privacy and anonymity, I have changed the names and identifying details of individuals and places. I have changed some physical properties and places of residence.

This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Unless marked otherwise, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by the Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible , New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Dedications

M y Dear Husband, your love and loyalty has proven to be the strength I needed to keep on living. You have shown me grace, forgiveness and acceptance like no one else. You have helped me become the woman I am. God handpicked you to take on the challenging task of marrying me, and you do it with excellence. Ive watched God greatly grow you and bless our marriage. You have added hope and value into my spirit which makes an eternal difference. Thank you for creating a Christian home and family with me. I am certain one day God will look into your eyes and say, Well done my good and faithful servant. I love you!

My Children, you two are the greatest blessings in my life. I prayed for you and God gave me the desires of my heart. Im proud to be your mom. Proud to have the opportunity to watch you grow up and become all God has made you to be. Its my aspiration to leave behind a Legacy of Love. You two are that legacy. Keep the flames burning. I cant wait to experience on this earth, and in eternity, the fruit of mine and your labor. Be bold, be strong and stay close to Jesus. I love you!

Heavenly Father, without You, I wouldnt have life, or a story to share of your love, hope, redemption and restoration. Forgive me for all the years I grieved my life and who I was. Thank you for making me who I am. I am wholly surrendered to you. I am grateful and honored to be your daughter. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NIV )

Acknowledgements

K elly Battles, you are my mentor, my friend, and an amazing editor. Thank you for believing in me. You are my number one cheerleader! This book was dormant until I met you; my words were sitting still and breathless. You helped make my dreams come true, bringing my words to life. You gave me hope and confidence, encouraging me that my book was worth writing, and something to share with the world. You radiate love, and your generosity and faithfulness make you a true woman after Gods own heart. Thank you. I love you.

I would like to express my gratitude to Light Messages Publishing. You have been a guiding light, full of wisdom and resourceful information. You are an answer to prayer. You have made it possible for my story to reach thousands of people and I am extremely thankful for your help and generosity. Many lives will be changed because of your faithfulness. Thank you for turning my dreams into reality and publishing my book!

Preface

O ur secrets remain locked away and tucked inside our souls. We keep the doors to our hearts bolted shut. We refuse to expose our pain, abuse, addictions, despair, and our past that makes us vulnerable. Because we fear disappointment, we dont find the strength to trust. We erect walls and refuse to restore relationships or build new ones to keep our hearts protected. We live in fear and pain from past failures, keeping us from taking a step forward in faith. I know this because of my own experiences. I was shut down, pushed down, and beaten up, abandoned, and shoved down a long road of pain and dysfunction. I am tired of hiding my pain. Finished with people looking at me and believing I have the perfect life, or I have it all together. There are no secrets here.

At five years old, I was kidnapped, abandoned, given away, and then raised by strangers. My childhood was saturated with physical and emotional pain as I endured dysfunction and mistreatment. It was only by grace, the invisible hands of God, and hope that I stayed alive. At the age of thirteen, what appeared as the light at the end of the tunnel only proved to be another pit of pain. My father had spent years searching for me with help from the police and the FBI. For him, it ended in a moment of relief and triumph. I was passed from the strangers in my life into his hands. However, this wasnt the happily ever after that I expected.

My desire for you as you read this book is that your impossible meets God and healing begins. Im so excited for us to take this journey together. Ive been waiting for you. My prayer is that you will come to the realization as I have that hope is real and should never be denied.

~Brooke Lynn

Introduction

Y ou are beautiful. You are loved. God made you perfect just the way you are. You are good enough. You are worth it, and your value is not estimated by your outward appearance. Whoever made you believe less or feel inadequate; shame on them. But its time to move forward knowing and believing the truth about yourself. Its time to stand strong, believe in yourself, get healthy and be healthy because you love your life. No more living for societal approval. Hold your head up and know what Gods word says about you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mothers womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it. (Psalm 139:13-14)

Almost Aborted

Woven in Love - Nurtured in Rebellion

T he enemy has tried so hard to steal, destroy, and kill me. He tried even before I was born by tempting my mother with the thoughts of having an abortion. She struggled internally and fought hard against every idea and plan to abort her pregnancy. She wondered if she could bring herself to take a life, or even physically endure the procedure. Her biggest apprehension was the inability to forgive herself. She feared she could never be forgiven.

Her Catholic upbringing pounded rules into her mind and heart. She sat desolate in her room and cried with her rosary in hand as tears streamed down her face and dripped off her cheeks, soaking the hardwood floor. Her mind raced with questions. How could this happen to me? What have I done, and how will I survive such a fate? She knew this was in fact her fault after giving into her own desires and the temptation to be with a man she believed she loved. Did her feelings betray her? How could a loving and caring God punish her with a pregnancy at the young age of seventeen? She peered down at her stomach while nausea overcame her, and she tried to envision a bump declaring to the world what had become of her. Thoughts whirled in her mind, her heart wavered, and only time would tell what decision she would make.