Heather
32, mother of 4, Originally from Virginia
How does a married mother of four end up at A Friend’s House not just once, but twice? By one seemingly harmless decision at a time.
Heather had a devoted husband and four little boys, but after several years of motherhood the single life of a girlfriend looked better. It didn’t take long before Heather was unfaithful to her marriage several times.
“The last relationship became so serious that I convinced myself I could leave my husband for him. I became someone I didn’t recognize as my sin spiraled out of control. Drugs, drinking, late nights, an abortion, lying, and stealing caused such guilt that I attempted to hang myself. My family encouraged me to get help and I applied to A Friend’s House,” said Heather.
When she arrived at AFH the first time, she was not ready to lay down her sin and face her consequences. After 16 days, she walked out the door and was determined to never come near the Indiana border again. She thought she could work out all her issues on her own.
“Returning to drugs and alcohol, I became completely miserable. I found no fulfillment in the party lifestyle I led, yet I couldn’t stop. I had no rights to my children. I was unemployed and my husband had had enough. He declared he wanted a divorce,” continued Heather.
“Finally, the gravity of what I had done unfolded before my eyes. I knew I needed to return to AFH, but I had to wait six months before they would consider my application for re-entry.” She reapplied and was accepted back to A Friend’s House. “I walked back through the doors truly broken and ready to work,” said Heather. “I alone made the bad decisions to get myself into this situation, and I needed to do the hard work to earn my life back.”
After several months of confronting lies she believed about herself and learning the discipline that a responsible life requires, Heather graduated from AFH. She went home to four precious boys, and a divorce. But she persevered. She got a job, then two jobs, and bought a car. She has joint custody of her boys, and tries to savor each moment she has with them. Life is not easy for her, and she will quickly tell you that sin is never worth the cost.
“I have realized that although each day has its challenge, God needs me here for a very specific purpose and each day He reveals more and more to me. I would not have dreamed I would be where I am on many different levels. I can’t help but remind myself that the only person who is held back by my past is me. I make a choice everyday to take a step forward even if I cry the whole way.”
