Taken From Darkness to Light
Dana's Testimony

This is Dana's story about how she came to know Jesus and became a living testimony of His grace and power and love in her life. I pray you will be bless and encouraged as you read her story and you will know what God has done for her, He will also do for you.

     My name is Dana and I am 29 years old. I am a wife and mother of two. My life is good now but it was not always that way. I am happy to tell you that for the last 4-½ years I have been free from alcohol and drugs. My story is not a pretty one but it does have a marvelous ending.

     I grew up in a very abusive home. My father was a very angry man and he would physically beat my mother, brother and sister. Though he never hit me, he did verbally abuse me. Strange as it may seem for some reason I was "daddy's little girl." It seemed he loved me more than anyone else in the family. He was unfaithful to my mom for many years and when I was about eight years old they divorced. I moved with my father to California and he reunited with his first wife. After a year I returned home to my mom. She was remarried to a wonderful man. I stayed with them for four years. When I was 14 years old, I started doing drugs and drinking. My mother was a deputy for the Sheriff's department and by the time I was 17 she had enough of my addictions. I had become a complete embarrassment to her and she finally kicked me out of the house. I lived on the streets, in people's houses and in cars. In 1994 I moved to Tampa and my addiction got even worse. I started using crack cocaine and to support my habit I became a prostitute. It took me two years but on June 17th 1996 I hit bottom. I checked myself into a 28-day treatment program.

     This was the beginning of the end of the darkness in my life. It was here that the love of God was shared with me. I always knew there was a God, but I figured He was too busy taking care of the people who really followed Him. I was convinced at the time that Satan was the ruler in my family. As they shared the love of Jesus with me, I accepted Him into my heart and was saved. I learned that God accepted me just the way I was, prostitute and all. I successfully completed the program and went to live with a sponsor. I was sober and straight for about 60 days when a big obstacle came in my way. My boyfriend said things that really hurt me and even though I knew some of what he said was truth all I could feel was the pain. I decided I would go dull the pain with drugs as I had learned to do for so many years of my life. I would go get high and not feel anything but God had another plan.

     As I walked out the door there was a picture of Jesus on the wall. Through my tears I looked at it and said, "I only wish I knew You as well as You know me, because if I did I probably would not be going to do what is in my heart to do."

     God heard me cry and directed my steps. Instead of going to my old stomping ground I found my car in the driveway of a good Christian friend and counselor. Her name is Tina and I thank God for her. I shared with her what happened and she immediately took me to the Bible and showed me what the Scriptures said. She shared 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5 and Ephesians 1:13. If you don't know who you are or whom you belong to I strongly recommend that you read these verses. It will be well worth your time. When she was finished reading tears started forming in my eyes. I didn't understand why. She explained to me that it was God trying to tell me that He loves me. I was convinced from that point on. I know what it is to not know where you belong or who you are, but through His Son Jesus Christ, I now know who I am and whom I belong to.

     I have a lot to be thankful for. As I mentioned earlier I have a wonderful husband who is very patient with me. We are blessed with Nicolas and Joseph. I have a home I can call my own and a vast amount of good friends. I believe that anything else after this is icing on the cake. All I ever wanted was a family of my own, a strong, healthy, loving family and God has given me the desires of my heart. He knew all I had done and the wretch that I was but His unconditional love went beyond my sins right into my heart. He loves me unconditionally and although that took awhile for me to get use to, I can tell you that it was worth it for the love I have found in Him.

     My prayer for you who are still suffering is that you will come to realize that you need not suffer anymore. There is someone that will love you without conditions and without wanting something in return. His name is Jesus, and He is waiting something in return. His name is Jesus and I can assure you He will accept you just as you are. I pray you will not have to walk the same path as me but if you should find yourself there just call on His name and just as He directed my car to a place of refuge to will He direct you.