I am a redeemed heroin and opiate addict. I was an addict for almost ten years and I also have a history of sexual abuse, self-harm, eating disorders and so much more. Even though I was born and raised in church, I was never really that spiritually or mentally, only physically. 

During my addiction, I was put into rehab several times and even ended up spending time in jail. In the midst of these dark and hopeless times, God continued to whisper to me the words from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Well, on January 10th 2016 my life changed forever.

On that day, while I was still in active addiction, I found out I was almost three months pregnant. I started going to church and I just decided to go all in. I joined a twelve-week small group that changed my life forever. When I first started, I was just getting sober and I was three months pregnant, homeless, and my family would hardly speak to me, only my mom would. After the small group, I was baptized and made new in Christ! 

I now have a love and self respect for myself that I’ve never had before! I felt whole and complete for the first time in my life. God is so good and so faithful! I began my journey of redemption as a pregnant, homeless addict, estranged from my family; but God changed my life and today I have a healthy baby boy who has a sober mommy, we live in a three-bedroom home of our own, and my family and I have rekindled our relationship. 

I want to wear the verse Jeremiah 29:11 along with the initial “S” for my son Sage on a necklace because he saved my life and this verse were the special words I constantly clung to when I heard from God in my darkest moments.

Elise Rose