I sometimes see people post on the Internet reminiscing about their childhood roots: grandparents' homes, their own childhood homes, their extended family, etc. Each post reminds me once again that my childhood was pretty much rootless.

I believe I have been rescued out of a brainwashed world, and shown the light of truth. I found—and still find—comfort, peace, absolute truth and acceptance in the pages of the Bible.

There was only one constant in my childhood: my mother's belief in God.

We moved many times over the years, and were not close to extended family. In fact it was the opposite: They ridiculed us for our faith. Some tried to shame us for not celebrating holidays that we knew were pagan in origin. We even had family members who would trick us into eating foods we knew were forbidden by the Bible—meats Jesus would not have eaten.

My mother came under fire for accepting the little-known Feast of Tabernacles and the seventh-day Sabbath while rejecting Christmas and Easter. As for me, even as a child I could see these truths in the Bible.

At school my family faced rejection because we did not draw names to exchange gifts at Christmas. We did not sing carols or do Easter parade in choir. We were different, odd, divorced. Divorce was almost unheard of in those days, and some teachers even pulled me aside to discuss it.

In my own adulthood, most of my siblings have chosen to live their own way, without regard to what God would choose. And so I find myself following in my mother's footsteps, having little to do with my immediate family.

Why would I still adhere to the beliefs of my childhood that played so large a part in the isolation I experienced for so much of my life? Some of my children have told me it is because I am in a cult, and they believe I am brainwashed.

I believe I have been rescued out of a brainwashed world, and shown the light of truth. I found—and still find—comfort, peace, absolute truth and acceptance in the pages of the Bible.

My heart is shattered to know that so many children live a childhood like mine. I wish I could hold them all and tell them that they have value. God's plan will take care of them, and I long for the day when addictions and broken homes have become a thing of the past.

There is no other religion or belief system that reveals the unbelievable truth of the destiny that our God extends to us. I cannot understand how someone could adhere to any religion that teaches women will be in subjugation to the whims and desires of men throughout eternity. I am deeply distressed that some say teachings like that are of equal value to what is taught in the Holy Bible. God's Word states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

Here are four things I have learned in this life:

1. Look to God for acceptance and love.

2. Do not look down on anyone no matter what they came out of.

3. We are not responsible for the choices that were made for us before we were old enough to make our own, and we can let go of the shame of that past.

4. God makes up for the gaps in our lives. There will always be people who will not understand what motivates you. We do not answer to them, and they do not define how God sees us.

"Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:33-35).

I keep working to smooth off the rough edges of feeling like I do not belong. I have accepted that it may be a life-long struggle. I have fallen and had many trials in my life. Some trials have come from my own poor choices, and some have been outside my control, such as losing a husband to a car wreck.

One thing I am certain of, though, is that I do have roots.

I know I am in the care of a loving God who holds out an unbelievable destiny for me. I have a Father who picked me up from the dredges of humanity and chose to start a work in me. A Dad who knows the things I have suffered, who soothes the hurts, who continues to heal the scars and forgives the iniquities. I am rooted in the foundation of my Elder Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My Father holds out that same promise to anyone who will listen when He calls. We don't have to remain in subjugation to all that life has thrown us or our own wrong choices. The Great Physician heals all.

If you are feeling isolated and unworthy, take these words from our Savior to heart and know you are loved:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).