Finding Wisdom, Healing and Freedom After Childhood Abuse
My Memoir, The Secret Darkness, and Personal Blog, Abuse Journal, help survivors understand abuse, begin healing, and find lasting hope through biblical wisdom and God’s grace. L.M. Carleton – Rescued by Grace
I’ve learned that acknowledging the past does more than uncover painful memories.
It gives us the wisdom to understand how childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic violence have shaped our lives. That understanding becomes the foundation for healing and the freedom to choose differently.
At forty-eight, an unexpected encounter with my estranged husband on a dating website became a turning point. God used that moment to stop me from running from the past.
I began writing as a way to release years of pain and unanswered questions.
As I reflected on my childhood and the years I spent in an abusive marriage, hidden memories surfaced. I wrote honestly about childhood trauma, domestic violence, and the long-lasting effects abuse had on my life.
10 Reasons Why Relationships Fail
Have you ever been in a relationship that ended in heartbreak? If so, did you take time afterward to reflect on “why relationships fail?” I’m talking about digging deep inside all the uncomfortable moments—all those moments of feeling unloved, lonely, frustrated, and heartbroken. To move forward, reflect on and acknowledge “WHY” the relationship didn’t work. If you skip this step in the healing process, your next…
3 Ways to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Restore Your Life
Leaving your comfort zone is the pathway to a better life. It challenges you to break past the boundaries of fear and gain the courage to seek a better life. Living in an abusive marriage and an unhealthy relationship caused fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. Over time, I became trapped inside my comfort zone and stuck in a rut. The feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, skepticism,…
How I Escaped an Abusive Relationship for Good
This is a true story of how I escaped an abusive relationship for good. I was in my early twenties, and we were always on the run, moving from place to place. Like clockwork, I would find a new apartment every few months, and my husband would get us thrown out. He was addicted to Marijuana and spent what little money we had to purchase…
Grieving the Death of a Loved One
Grieving the death of a loved one is difficult, and the process is different for everyone. Some mourn for extended periods, while others recover from their loss and move forward. And some, like myself, build emotional walls to block the painful feelings altogether. No matter your circumstances. The Lord knows the pain you’re going through. He understands the inner turmoil and knows what’s troubling you.…
The Meaning of Unconditional Love
The meaning of unconditional love is a real story dedicated to the loving memory of Edith M Carleton (photo of our parents on their wedding day). I’m at a loss for words tonight. My baby sister called in tears to tell me a Secretary who worked at our High School said our Mother passed away five days ago, on July 5, 2015. Her memorial service…
About
I have lived through childhood abuse and domestic violence, and I write about the wisdom that can emerge through the journey of healing—what we can understand, reclaim, and ultimately transform from what we have survived.
Start Your Journey
Childhood abuse can leave wounds that shape the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Our past, however, does not have to determine our future.
Through personal stories, faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and honest reflection, Abuse Journal offers hope for adult survivors seeking healing and freedom.
More than a memoir, The Secret Darkness invites every survivor who wonders if healing is possible. It is a story of resilience, redemption, and the life-changing hope that your past does not have to define your future—and that freedom can be found beyond yesterday’s shadows.
L.M. CARLETON
Rescued by Grace