By Guest Blogger Valerie Kelso
Down But Not Out
I spent my nights in the parking lots of Walmart, WinCo, and Albertson. I would use a small blue basin to wash, all the while keeping the truth to myself. Then, one day, a gentleman came to Purple Light Touch in need of a massage. He paid me $300 for three massages and gave me a generous $60 tip upfront. It was in that moment that God spoke to me, urging me to take that money and establish an LLC company. Thus, on August 1st, 2017, PLT Massage and Wellness came into existence. The new rooms I had required earlier that year were going to be my saving grace.
Jon did not anticipate that I would find my footing. What he did not realize was that my faith in God was unwavering, and I had already been instructed by God to remain patient. Despite my loneliness and the pain, I concealed within, I persevered. In September, I was able to secure an apartment without requiring a deposit. It is a testament that when you place your trust in God, He will guide you through challenging times and rescue you from adversity, even when it seems impossible.
Failed Reconciliation
We thought we could make it work and we were still living separately. In October I was able to go to England for my mom’s 85th birthday and to see my siblings thanks to several clients who made it possible. When I got back, while at church, I discovered he had another new girlfriend whom he brought to church that day. I approached her to inquire why she was there and whether she had any self-respect. My intention was not to provoke a fight; I simply placed my hands on her lightly. However, he instructed her to report me for assault, going to great lengths to jeopardize my massage license. Nevertheless, I found solace in the belief that God was on my side.
We finalized our divorce in early 2018, and I was engulfed in pain and heartache, teetering on the brink of despair, wondering how I could carry on.
Breaking Point
I had reached a breaking point, struggling to keep my business and non-profit afloat. During this challenging time, my four sisters informed me of their plans to visit me. Their visit created a surge of emotion in the air, and as they were departing to go back home, I had an intense argument with one of my sisters in the airport.
In that moment, I summoned the courage to express what had been weighing on my heart. I walked away from that airport a renewed woman, leaving my baggage behind. It was a revelation that God had been with me all along, and I had finally been liberated from the grip of my past trauma.
Initially I felt so overwhelmed and trapped that I believed I could not see a way out. Little did I know that the upcoming year would bring a profound transformation to my life.
Renewal
On that crucial night, I found myself back at home, tearing up my suicide note I had written, and experienced a profound realization; my past did not have the power to define my future. This moment became a powerful lesson, reinforcing the idea that we should not allow our past traumas to dictate our choices in who we are.
