Damekie Davis embraces life after suicide attempts

These days, Damekie Davis is well aware of her self-worth. A member of the Pure In Heart Ministries International, she gives her time generously to encouraging other women through the She's Royal Movement.

She motivates women to value themselves and, most of all, to rise above whatever circumstances they are facing.

A few years ago, Davis was the one in need of all that advice as she was at a place in her life where she did not think it was worth living.

Coming from a single-parent home, she shared with Family and Religion how her not having a father in her life affected her judgement.

"I grew up in a single-parent home with my mom and brother. The lack of a father in my life caused me to make a lot of decisions I wish I didn't. I started having sex at an early age. I lived a promiscuous life, searching for something to fill that emptiness I had," she said.

Davis' promiscuous lifestyle led to an incident that required the intervention of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse (CISOCA). She said that after this happened, she started having suicidal thoughts. It did not help that others in her community started "looking down" on her.

"I was mocked, teased, laughed at. My friends at school didn't ask me about it, they just went with what the crowd was saying. I hated my life and didn't want to live it anymore," she shared.

"I attempted suicide more than once. I was so serious about taking my own life. I was totally convinced that this was the only possible way out of my situation," said Davis.

Her final attempt at ending her life was well planned out, but Davis is now thankful that God was on the job.

 

THE RIGHT MOMENT

 

According to her, she was silent about her intent and was just waiting on the right moment.

"I had it all planned out. Mommy was working that night, so she wouldn't come in my room to check on me as usual. I waited until everyone was sleeping, went for the knife in the kitchen, sat at my room door, and tried to sink the knife in my stomach. I am convinced that God himself took the knife from my stomach, put the knife down and walked me back to my room, because it couldn't have been me," she said.

For Davis, it is great knowing that God loved her even when she failed to love herself.

Today, she said she puts thoughts of ending her life out of her head by recognising that there is no easy way out - and it is better to face your problems than run away from them.

"I have an intimate relationship with God. He's my everything and He's the only one who will ever love and understand me the way I ought to be loved and understood. When my days aren't going the way I think they should, I know He has a greater plan. I have great faith in Him," said Davis, who said she accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour two years ago.

Davis said she realised she had to submit to God as He was the only one on her side after being molested.

"Nobody believed me, nobody was on my side. Only God, He kept me through it all," she said.

 

FUTURE PLANS

 

Hailing from Woodford District in St Andrew Davis attended Papine High School. Her future plans involve becoming the owner of a daycare facility. Her love for children is propelling this dream.

"They are honest, innocent, vibrant and full of love. They are the future and I want to do whatever I can to help the next generation. I grew up under saying, 'a village grows a child' and I believe in it."

Davis said that her life is not perfect and that there is not "much going my way right now". However, she lives in hope as she said she is serving a living God who loves and has her best interest at heart.

"I know He is working out everything which concerns me and even if I don't achieve it here on Earth, I know it awaits me in heaven. So, you ask how I am. I am blessed and highly favoured; a princess awaiting my crown in heaven."

Reaching out to her fellow teens who may be going through a rough patch like she did, Davis urged them not to get discouraged.

"Feed your spiritual mind. Listen to a gospel song that uplifts your spirit. Play it through the night when you're sleeping, praying, reading your Bible. Have someone who you can go to for advice - a spiritual mother/father/mentor, your pastor, or just a Godly friend."

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com