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.
Being Grateful in Times of Hardship
A while back, I was talking with my baby sister about memories of abuse. She became worried and expressed concern about me being so negative all the time. I thought she didn’t understand. I’m in the process of writing a Memoir, and recalling memories of abuse is essential. It’s an emotional outpouring and a slow process that takes time. And remembering painful memories of abuse will…
Living in Fear is a Trap
When I look back over my 52-year life, one thing stands out the most: I’ve spent a good share of it “living in fear.” I lived in fear of an abusive husband finding me in fear of judgment, having run away, leaving my two children behind. And the fear of what others thought about me. In other words, “fear” consumed my thoughts and held me captive…
How to Overcome the Fear of Being Vulnerable
How can you learn to overcome the fear of vulnerability? The best way is to do what you fear, walking by faith. Having suffered abuse at the hands of parents, a boyfriend, a husband, or a stranger leads to being fearful and distrustful. The last thing you want to do is be vulnerable. Vulnerability to an abuse survivor means you are open and trusting of…
My Testimony of Coming to Faith in Jesus Christ
My testimony of coming to faith in Jesus Christ As a child, I lived in the Adirondack Mountains in a vast woodland once owned by my grandparents, Willard and Maude Carleton. My father worked in the Paper Mill, plowing and harvesting his fields and cutting down firewood for winter. My mom was a housewife and later provided home care. Growing up, I experienced neglect, child…
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