Today, I celebrate a journey that has led me from darkness to light, from pain to healing, and from despair to hope. I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus, and I stand as a testament to the incredible power of resilience and faith.

As a child of just 6, I was forced to bear a burden no soul should ever have to carry. The innocence of youth was stolen from me through acts of unspeakable abuse. In addition to the physical and emotional scars, I was neglected by those who should have protected me.

But in 1997, a transformative encounter occurred that would alter the course of my life forever. I became a follower of Jesus Christ. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey towards healing, a journey that continues to this day.

I am a work in progress, a masterpiece still in the making, but the changes I have witnessed since I met God are nothing short of miraculous. Faith has been my guiding light, and through it, I have discovered an inner strength I never knew I possessed.

This is a memo from my abused self to my redeemed self—a message of hope and joy that I wish to share with the world. For there may be others who bear the weight of similar experiences, who carry the heavy burden of their past, and who are engaged in their own battles for healing.

To you, my fellow travelers on this path of recovery, I offer these words: There is hope. There is healing. There is light even in the darkest of times.

I have learned that scars, whether visible or hidden within, do not define us. Instead, they bear witness to our resilience, our fortitude, and our capacity to heal. From the depths of my despair, I found a glimmer of hope, and that glimmer has grown into a radiant beacon of redemption.

Our journeys may differ in their specifics, our pain may take unique forms, and our battles may vary in their intensity, but there is a universal truth that binds us all: the power of healing and transformation. It resides within each of us, waiting to be awakened.

So, let our stories shine as beacons of hope to the world. Let our scars serve as reminders of our strength. Let our redemption inspire those who are still navigating the treacherous waters of recovery.

In the end, this memo from my abused self to my redeemed self is a proclamation of hope and joy to the world. It declares that healing is possible, that scars can be transformed into badges of honor, and that the human spirit is indomitable.

With faith as my guide and hope as my companion, I march forward not as a victim but as the redeemed of the Lord, carrying a message of resilience, redemption, and love.

Sincerely,
Taiwo AKINLAMI