When I Found Love, I Found Me

By Georgia Gray and J. Freeman

When I was a child, before falling asleep at night, I sometimes would hear my father talking to my mother about stories he read in various magazines. One story was about a man who killed his wife and buried her body in the cellar of their house. Another story was about a man who locked his wife away in a dark room for long periods of time.

As a child, I took comfort knowing that those things had occurred in faraway places. Until the day trouble knocked on my door, and fear became my way of life for a period of time. I was not physically beaten, but I am a survivor of domestic violence.

I was married for nineteen years. After one month of marriage, an incident occurred that made me know that I was in trouble. Following the way of Principle Love saved my life. This book is written with the aim of helping others who are trapped in the abuse cycle. May you find hope through my life experiences. May you allow Principle Love to guide you in the way of peace and acquire the wisdom and courage needed to overcome abuse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984567178

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Georgia Gray.

Library of Congress Control Number:        2018913797

ISBN:                    Hardcover                              978-1-9845-6719-2

                             Softcover                                978-1-9845-6718-5

                              eBook                                      978-1-9845-6717-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/30/2019

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgment

Introduction

My Life

Chapter 1

What Is Love?

What Is Abuse?

What Is Overcoming Abuse?

Marriage and Religion

Marriage and Society

Chapter 2

Fear and Intimidation

Should I Leave?

Life after Leaving

Trust Your Instincts and Intuition

Chapter 3

Be Truthful

Be Faithful

Forgiveness

Growing Up in Love

Why Never Pay Back

Chapter 4

Be Self-Sufficient

Be Yourself

Educate Yourself

Know Yourself

Learn Effective Communication

Make Time for Yourself

Self-Esteem

Set Standards for Yourself

Take Care of Yourself

Chapter 5

Reaching Your Goals

When I Found Love I Found Me – Single Georgia Gray

Fantastic blend of sweet, heartfelt, vibrant voice that just soars. Sweet Georgia packs a powerful voice poured into a beautiful song. Wish she would record more!

AngelDeb – Deborah Vonheeder

Georgia – this book is fantastic! You relate your experience in a way that I can see it vividly. As a survivor you are an inspiration to every woman. Our bodies are temples, no one deserves to be broken down in spirit, mind, or body. It took great courage for you to stand tall and not allow further escalation into physical altercation. A man who is obsessive & controlling does not see you as a helpmate, or even an individual: In their eyes you belong to them and there is never enough giving in that will satisfy their need to control your very thoughts, dreams, and basic functions. Confrontation is risky, often it’s far safer to avoid direct confrontation with the Obsessor, your gut instinct was correct – the most dangerous time is when he senses you’ve decided to leave. Often an Obsessor will act out physically when confronted with the idea of you not belonging to him that he will take your life to prove his point. I am so proud of you, it’s an honor to know you, to read your life experiences, and to be your friend. Thank you, Deborah Vonheeder, M.A.

I think this book is a wonderful read. It truly expresses what so many have experienced in their life. As a licensed counselor I have counseled women of domestic violence and so many do not know how to pick up the pieces. I think this book will definitely serve as strength for those facing abuse and help them realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Well done. April Givens, MS, LPC

To my mother, Mrs. Dolores M. Wilson-Gray, who is

no longer with us but who was my biggest fan. She supported all my goals and was present at nearly all my events from my youth until her death. She supported me through my singing engagements, plays, speaking events, and business adventures. My mother shared my dreams. When I conducted an exercise class, there were times when she and I were the only ones in attendance. She believed in me. A while before her passing, she began to ask, How is your book coming? each time we talked. One day it occurred to me that she was not just asking, but she really wanted to see me accomplish my goal. When we would part, she would always tell me that she was praying for