I Thought It Would Never Happen to Me

By Natalie Connie

I started writing this book ten years ago. I wrote this book hoping to be an inspiration to others who are going through what my characters have been through--to give them hope and freedom from any struggles they may be facing. Each story is derived from a poem. I write about other people's pain. Hoping your story or someone else's story is in my book. I chose the title I Thought It Would Never Happen to Me because we all have had something bad happen to us. How do you deal with your pain? I pray that my book can inspire you to choose a different way on how to deal with your pain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9781637843925

Book preview

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I Thought It Would Never Happen to Me

Natalie Connie

ISBN 978-1-63784-391-8 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63784-392-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Natalie Connie

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Hawes & Jenkins Publishing

16427 N Scottsdale Road Suite 410

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

www.hawesjenkins.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

An Invitation to Forgiveness

Part 1

Chapter 1

I thought it would never happen to me

Chapter 2

Faith

Chapter 3

God's Love

Chapter 4

Don't Ever Let Me Go

Chapter 5

I Am Hurting

Chapter 6

I Am Not Afraid

Chapter 7

His Gifts Are Highly Treasured

Chapter 8

It's the Same People You Meet Every Day

Chapter 9

I Have Been Set Free

Chapter 10

It's Not Going to Be Easy Moving On

Part 2

Chapter 1

Because I Am an Alcoholic

Chapter 2

I Am a Cutter

Christine's Story

Chapter 3

Letting Go

Samantha's Kink Story

Chapter 4

Love Is Blind

Tracy's Story

Chapter 5

I Can See Me

Lori Davis's Story

Chapter 6

The Power of the Cross

Christina's Story

Chapter 7

Another Chance

Chapter 8

Abandoned by My Mother

Chapter 9

Since You've Been Gone

Alexander Connie's Story

Chapter 10

My Heart Was Broken by Betrayal

Part 3

Victim of Thoughts

Natalie Connie's Story

About the Author

An Invitation to Forgiveness

There are three common and very helpful ways of dealing with your failures and sin. First, there is denial. We tell ourselves that everybody has problems so it doesn't really matter. N othing of any value comes from this effort to cover up. A second helpful strategy is to blame others for what has happened to us. This can range from different versions of The devil made me do it… or I am the product of my environment. Nothing of any value comes from this effort to cover up. Third, instead of turning the emotional energy outward in blame, we can turn it against ourselves as self-loathing. We see ourselves as monsters and what we have done as unforgivable. Nothing of value comes from this effort alone for our own sins. God invites us to another path. In order to change and grow, we need to face the reality of our actions and attitude. The destructive and hurtful life-draining patterns that are part of our lives can be changed. Do not allow denial, shame, and guilt to dictate your choices and what you need to do to change.

Part 1

Chapter 1

I thought it would never happen to me

We never thought we would feel so much peace in our hearts because it's the beginning of a brand-new start.

Now it's time to change who we are because if you do not, you will not get far.

So sit back, relax, hold your head up high, and remember, nothing beats a failure but to try.

You ask yourself, Where do I go? What do I do? Remember, the choice is all up to you.

Sometimes, your mind wanders and you think about all the things you've been through, saying, How can all this be true?

No matter what trials and tribulations you face, just surrender and remain obedient