Healing from Childhood Abuse Through Faith, Reflection, and Hope
My memoir, The Secret Darkness, and Abuse Journal, my faith-based resource for survivors, help readers understand the lasting effects of childhood abuse and domestic violence, explore healing through personal reflection, and discover 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 understanding to recognize how childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic violence have shaped our lives. That understanding becomes the foundation for personal growth, 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. Through that process, I began discovering lessons, biblical wisdom, and hope that I now share with other survivors.
Why You Need Love and Compassion to Heal
Have you ever missed the opportunity to give someone the love and compassion to heal? If so, you know the heartbreak that comes after your actions. I wept at the missed opportunity. Why do people miss this chance? I’ve learned that personal experiences impact our actions and reactions toward others. I let emotional afflictions get in the way of expressing the love and compassion needed to…
Why Did You Start a Reflective Life Writing a Blog
I never planned to start a reflective life writing blog. The thought of sharing my darkest secrets was not intentional. As a child, I learned not to tell my business in the public eye. The last thing on my mind was to be a life writer and pen my story for the world to read. My dream was to become a website designer, and the…
Hope for a Better Life
When you live in an abusive situation, hope for a better life becomes diminished by anxiety. And the mental stress confuses and depresses your mind. Suffering from abuse, you lose your sense of direction and devalue and stop loving yourself. Plagued by fear, you carry heavy burdens to where strength is non-existent. And you face two options: flee the oppression and hope you make it…
Gain The Courage To Talk About Your Abuse Story
No one wants you to talk about your story of abuse. The perpetrator inflicts anguish and fears silencing you—the burdens of guilt and shame bridal at your tongue. Even family members urge, “Don’t tell anyone.” Yet concealing the truth, the secrets of abuse hinder your personal growth and spiritual development. Your physical and mental health suffers by staying silent, and you surrender your voice, your…
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