Hello again! It’s been a couple of months since I posted anything, and it’s been for good reason. A lot has happened this year; changes that have had me doubting God, myself, recovery and life in general. Be forewarned, this will be a long post, but it’s been a long time coming. Before I begin, I just want to thank everyone who has reached out to me (emails, phone calls, letters, cards, texts) and prayed for me during this time in my life. Your words and prayers are more appreciated than you may ever know.
So I’m just going to throw it out there – my relapse began months ago. Some people knew, others were oblivious. Although sometimes I doubt if my recovery was ever truly real, I question if my disorder has simply evolved throughout the years. Either way, it’s here – but I’m not denying it anymore. Addiction is a funny thing, especially when you’ve been through treatment and have pretty sound insight into why it takes hold of you the way it does. Earlier this year is when Bulimia shoved itself back into my life. In my journal the night after I threw up for the first time in nearly a year, I wrote that it “felt like coming home after being away for too long.” Self-harm made its appearance shortly after my eating disorder. While I can’t pinpoint an exact event that triggered my relapse, I know that it is mainly due to a buildup of shame I’ve held for a very long time that I’ve chosen not to deal with. As I’ve heard recently – traumatized children who don’t thoroughly and honestly deal with their pasts will grow into dysfunctional adults. Here I am, at 22, experiencing dysfunction in all of my relationships – especially with myself.
I can’t tell you exactly why I hit rock bottom, all I can tell you is that I did – and it happened on June 14, 2015. As I was sitting in the ER waiting room, completely alone after driving myself there – this is what I typed on my phone:
Sitting here in the ER, I can honestly say that I am at my lowest low I’ve been in a really long time. Rock bottom? Possibly. Panic attack. Cut wrist. How did I get here? At least I didn’t take the pills. But really, wouldn’t that have been better? Ugh.
That day, that weekend – I was ready to die. I didn’t attempt to kill myself, probably because I’ve been on the other end of the repercussions and heartbreak of someone leaving this world before they’re meant to, but I was ready. I don’t remember driving to the hospital, it’s all kind of a blur. But I know someone was looking out for me; despite my running away from Jesus, he has never left me.
I spent a week in a Behavioral Health Center after the ER staff deemed that I was a danger to myself – I couldn’t argue with that. That week was very eye-opening for me. My actions put my job, relationships, and overall livelihood at risk. I couldn’t be there again, I wouldn’t let myself get that low again. Although not yet fully committed to recovery, I knew that something had to change. I also finally understood that I really can’t do this alone, because doing recovery by myself for 8+ years obviously hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I gave my heart to Jesus that week in the hospital. Although it wasn’t the first time I’d prayed those words, it was the first time my heart was truly crying out to Him. I’m not perfect, and I certainly haven’t been 100% successful since I’ve been home – but more than ever before, I’m really trying.
Only a few people know of my experience, and honestly not many people noticed my absence that week – but those that did are the ones that matter. I keep trying to come up with some kind of way to answer people when they ask, “why?” It’s so difficult to explain because there is so much stigma around mental health, particularly when it comes to the point that people are suicidal or self-destructive. So in an attempt to help, I’m going to share something I wrote while in the hospital. It’s titled The Darkness, and it is far from my best work, and may not make a whole lot of sense, but I hope it will help others try to understand what people with any type of mental illness face everyday of their lives, particularly those who struggle with self-harm and/or an eating disorder. While this is particularly about cutting and bulimia, the idea of a complete lack of control is not unique. [Please note – I do not hear voices, but others do – I can’t speak for what they hear and what their experiences are.]
**Trigger Warning**
THE DARKNESS
He is sneaky, powerful, overwhelming
He tells me I am worthless
He creeps over me like a shadow
Until I am suffocated
He is Darkness
He puts the razor blade in my hand
He whispers in my ear…
“It’s the only way”
He draws the blade across my skin
“Deeper, deeper!” he yells
He says that the blood is all I need;
Relief, sweet relief
The blood stops
He says that it’s not enough
“You are never good enough”
He draws the blade across again
The scar will be beautiful
He tells me I will never be beautiful
But I will always have my scars
He is Darkness
He drags me to the bathroom
He throws me on the ground
He shoves his fingers down my throat
Until there’s no more food left inside of me
“You’re too fat for food!” He screams
He tosses me on the scale
No matter the number, “You overweight pig”
Standing in front of the mirror
He points out every imperfection
He assures me that no one will ever love me
He is The Darkness that blinds me every single day…
But there is also light
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ –
He is the light.
He is wonderful, loving, and merciful
He tells me I am worthy of his grace
He comes over me like a sweet song
Until I am at peace
He gently takes the razor blade out of my hand
He sweetly tells me that I am loved
“There is hope”
He stands me in front of the mirror
And says that He doesn’t make mistakes
He reminds me that I am saved
Nothing can separate me from him
He claims that he isn’t done with me yet
Tomorrow is a new day
He calls me his daughter
Beautiful, rescued, redeemed
He sees my scars, both inside and out
And still calls me beautiful
My scars will remind me where I’ve been
And that He is not done with me yet
He is Light
He defeats The Darkness
I owe Jesus Chris my life – many times over. I’m forever grateful to my family and friends who have continued to pray for me over the years. It’s going to take a long time to get my life wholly back on track, but I’m ready to fight for my life.
Humans are fallible, they will fail at some point in their lives. They will hurt others even if they have the best intentions. It’s become more clear to me that for most of my adult life I’ve tried to base my worth off of other’s opinions of me – particularly men. This is not uncommon, I see it play out everyday in the lives of my friends and so many others. Jesus is the only one who I can always rely on, He will never fail me. I need to find my God-given purpose in this life, I don’t need to find a person to fill that hole. One day I will meet a man who was placed on this Earth just for me, and when that happens I will be the kind of woman that a man after God’s own heart is searching for.
If you’ve made it this far – thanks for allowing me to share a little bit of my life with you. I will leave you with this verse, Ephesians 2: 8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” None of us deserve to be saved, that is what is so incredibly amazing about God’s grace. I certainly don’t deserve his grace anymore today than I did yesterday. But everyday I fall more in love with my Savior, and everyday I will strive to be the best I can be by living for Him, and expecting nothing else in return.
-N.O.
Natalie,
It was wonderful reading from your heart, a message of humility, brokenness and surrender to our Lord. You have a gift of writing, Natalie. Writing filled with deep emotions which many could identify. God’s purpose for you may be to fulfill this yearning for healing by placing your trust in Him through the written word. And that you do so immensely well. That is a gift from Him.
You are an overcomer, Natalie, a conqueror in Christ who will be used in many other’s lives, more than you realize. Keep in His Word, believe in His promises, follow His guidance and plant your feet at the foot of the cross with every doubt. He does not make mistakes. You are beautiful and were wonderfully woven in your mother’s womb, Natalie.
Jesus’s hand will hold yours and as He said “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears, I will heal you.”
You are a blessing, Natalie. And God loves you and so do I. We will continue praying for you along this healing journey.
Grateful for you,
Karen Cavan
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Natalie, you don’t really know me, but I have been praying for you for a long time, even without knowing the specific issues you faced. Your mom has been close to my heart for many years as I have prayed for her, too. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your are in my prayer journal, so you can be certain I will continue to uphold you and the Lord will continue to strengthen you.
2Co 12:9, 10 “…”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
With love and much prayer, Aunt Beatrice
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So touching! You have a great future, Natalie. Keep the faith
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Dear Natalie,
You are a courageous fighter of the good fight and are generous to share your story. Thank you for helping me understand you better. I love you! Aunt Becky
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Natalie, my heart hurts with you and rejoices with you at the same time. My devotion today was about Romans 8:18 and it seems very fitting to share with you: “For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us”. I will continue to pray for you that God’s glory will reveal itself to you more each day. Love and Prayers, Martha
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There is strength, beauty and transparency in you and your writing, Natalie. Huge hugs and continued prayers. Aunt Laura
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Thank you so much Aunt Laura!
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Oh wow, Natalie. You are a great writer. Thanks for sharing so honestly again. You inspire me to keep working thru my struggles. Wish I could stop by for a hug & a good old lunch & visit. Love you!
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Thank you so much Donna! 🙂 Love you!
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Dear Natalie,
Though we don’t know you well our hearts reach out to you and we’re praying and cheering you on. Your humility comes through in this touching post. The important thing is that you are getting up again and God is always there. God bless you!!
Love, Uncle Jack and Aunt Laverna
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Thank you so much Uncle Jack & Aunt Laverna – love you both!
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Beautifully written! Praying for you, love you!
Jen
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Thanks Jen! Love you!
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We hear you, you are on the right track, praying for you, love you,
Aunt Eleanor,Uncle Bruce
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Thank yo so much Aunt Eleanor & Uncle Bruce! Love you both.
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So incredibly beautiful and honest Nattie. Thank you! I love you!!
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Thanks Momma!
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