If you are interested in having Sherry speak at your event, please read below. Otherwise, you can email her at sherry@sherrygraves.com

As a survivor of sexual assault and physical abuse I know what it feels like to be rejected, abused, and mistreated. I am also a victim of attempted murder. In 1989, someone drugged me, set the room I passed out in on fire, and left me for dead. I sustained second and third degree burns covering thirty percent of my body. After surviving the fire my self-esteem decreased from one hundred to about zero.

When I emerged from the fire, I was rejected by people, laughed at, and made fun of because of my outward appearance. Broken inside and lost, I didn’t know what to do so I hid myself from myself and everyone else. It took more than ten years to really be able to look at my own scars, because seeing them caused me to relive the pain. My healing journey began when I was finally able to embrace my pain. I had to discover how to accept my past and my present. But what hurt more was the process of learning to love myself again, with the scars.

After nearly twenty years of living in bondage to my scars today I understand there is great purpose in our trials. Trials are not random acts meant to make us miserable or to destroy us. They are meant to refine us and make us strong. I know now that I was saved and set on this journey to share the Wings of Hope within me. If the tragedies I experienced on my Journey never occurred, I would probably never have had the passion to counsel other women and men. It was through working in the field of mental health and substance abuse the past ten years and facilitating so many groups, sharing my testament of the power of healing, that I realized I was giving Wings of Hope to individuals who were broken, depressed, feeling hopeless and suicidal. To be able to help them begin to heal is the greatest gift of all. I am no longer ashamed of my scars. Through my personal healing journey I have found purpose in my pain.

I had to get to the place in my life where I boldly told my story, refusing to pretend. I have found that sometimes we have a tendency to pretend or to allow others to believe we are something we are not. I learned from my experiences that I don’t need to hide all that is ugly and repulsive in me. I don’t have to pretend sometimes I do get weak moments, I know I don’t have it all together, and I am not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace.

People are sometimes resistant to seek help because so few are willing to admit we have or have had a problem. I refuse to be anything but authentic, regardless of how messy my life may have seemed. In order to reveal a scar we must put aside, take off the mask, and get real. I learned that the process involves dying to our own selfish pride that convinces us to appear happier, healthier, or holier than we really are. I found out that when we take the seed of our testimony and plant it into the soil of another’s wounded heart, it will bring in a harvest of healing for those who need it most, those wounded souls who feel as though they are the only ones who have experienced such failure and pain.

And when we can reveal the truth that has been hidden like treasures beneath the soil, there will be some who will scoff and scorn but that’s ok. It just means they missed it. But when we are truly repentant, humbled and broken, we don’t mind who knows about our scars because we have nothing to lose. And those who hear our stories of redemption have everything to gain.
 

Book Clubs
Sherry welcomes the opportunity to share with others. Her desire is to empower individuals to fulfill their purpose and learning how to begin the healing process from trauma. She has written a book, A Fire Within, to assist individuals in their healing process. If you are a member of a book club or women’s ministry or women’s fellowship, invite Sherry to discuss her book and testimony.
 

Advocacy
Sherry’s mission is to advocate on behalf of women who have experienced victimization whether sexual assault or domestic violence and to raise consciousness. Her passion in supporting individuals with substance abuse issues is close to her heart and for that reason she avails herself to participate in a variety of opportunities that will assist in the healing of an individuals’ life.

As a reminder! Check back on my Beyond My Scars site regularly for Upcoming Spring Segments on- “Heart 2 Heart”- Sharing with Sherry!
 

I look forward to speaking at your event!

Learn more about WHAT TO EXPECT or click on the button below to Book Sherry!