Hi friend!

Welcome back to Tales of Grace! I’m so glad you’re here. This week’s blog is about my personal story of how I was met by grace in my ugly mess.

Disclaimer: Obviously, this is not my whole story in all of its entirety – If I were to share every detail of my story, we could be here for a long time.

I plan to share more pieces in future posts, but for now, I hope this glimpse into my journey will show how God’s grace can transform even the darkest moments of our lives.

A little heads-up: you might want to grab some tissues—I cried a lot while writing this!

Content Warning: This post includes mentions of sensitive topics, including sexual abuse (not in detail). Please proceed with care, and feel free to skip this post if you find such topics triggering.

I grew up in a family of seven, and I am the middle child. As the middle child, I often felt stuck between worlds. My older siblings appeared to have everything together, while my younger ones soaked up attention. I, on the other hand, felt invisible, lost in the chaos of our busy household.

Many times, I wondered if I mattered at all. I often felt overlooked and misunderstood (if you’re a middle child, I’d love to hear your experiences growing up!). My mother, who worked as a community caregiver, showed immense love to those she served. My father worked far from home to support us, but his absence left a gap in our relationship. I struggled to find my place in the family and often felt like the “black sheep.”

At school, the challenges didn’t let up. Bullies targeted me for my weight, hurling cruel and degrading words that chipped away at my confidence. Although I excelled academically, the praise I received isolated me further. Classmates pretended to like me when they needed help, only to discard me once they got what they wanted.

High school brought a devastating betrayal that scarred me for years. My naivety and deep yearning for love drew me into a relationship where I suffered sexual violence. That moment broke me, leaving me consumed with shame and confusion. I unjustly shouldered the blame for what happened, retreating into silence as my pain remained unseen, even at home.

In university, my past caught up with me when I tested positive for HIV. The diagnosis crushed me, and I spiraled into hopelessness, even contemplating ending my life. I felt shattered, as though no part of me could ever be whole again.

Then grace found me. A friend invited me to church—something I never imagined myself doing again. I had written church off as a place for older people, those looking to make peace with God as their time ran out. Honestly, I only went because they mentioned free coffee and cake for visitors.

That invitation, however, became a turning point. For the first time, I felt genuinely seen and loved by people who didn’t want anything from me. Their kindness felt so foreign, yet comforting. One person’s simple words, “God wants me to love you,” began to chip away at the walls I had built around my heart. Little did I know, this was the start of something much bigger than I could imagine.

I began learning about God’s unconditional love—a love that met me in my brokenness, embraced my flaws, and offered me healing. Slowly, I started surrendering my pain, shame, and fears to Him. Piece by piece, I let go of the burdens I had carried for so long. When I finally accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, something shifted in me. My life didn’t become perfect overnight, but it began to change for the better—marked by hope, peace, and a sense of purpose I’d never known before.

Looking back, I now see how God’s grace carried me, even in moments when I was unaware of His presence. The enemy had a plan to destroy my life, but God, in His infinite mercy, turned it around for good.

The enemy meant it for evil, but God turned it for good.”
– Genesis 50:20

Over time, I realized my parents did love me, though they struggled to show it in ways I needed. Through this journey, I’ve learned that no story is too messy for God. He brings beauty out of ashes, turns pain into purpose and uses our struggles to display His faithfulness. My story is one of redemption—proof that God transforms our brokenness for His glory.

Thank you for reading this part my story!

If my story resonated with you or if you’ve faced similar struggles, I’d love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the comments or reach out—I’m here for you. I believe that if God could do this for me, He can do it for you too!

Want to share your story of grace? Reach out through the contact page. I’d be honored to feature your journey.

With love and grace,
Founder of Tales of Grace