From Shackles to Grace

I am tired. Exhausted. Wasted energy

Worried about others judging me when all this time I have been judging myself harshly.

I have long chained myself in these shackles and forgot that I had the key all along to free myself.

I have been waiting for someone to come and save me—

Someone to unchain me—

When all along I had the power to free myself.

I had the power to end my pain.

Exhausted,

But I will use my last energy,

My last strength,

My last hope,

To reach for the key and set myself free.

Time to unlock my mind and heal my body.

I am covered in bruises from these shackles.

But as I hear the final click of the lock and see the chains fall to the ground,

I finally feel free

And yet—

I find myself with no more energy to walk out of this prison

And through a door that now stands wide open.

I try to walk,

But I just don’t have enough strength

I stagger,

But I don’t fall.

I sigh,

And as I stand there trying to figure out how to carry myself out of this hopeless place

I see myself suddenly rising from the ground.

Startled, I look around to see what is happening—

Alas, it is God carrying me in his arms.

His warm embrace warming me up on the inside

And I hear him say:

“Relax dear child, you have done your part, now let me do the rest”

Relief washes over me.

My face is wet with the tears of joy.

As God carries me through the door into a blinding light,

I surrender and let Him take care of me.

I am suddenly overcome with extreme exhaustion.

I feel very sleepy.

My eyes begin to close.

I try to stay awake to see where He is taking me,

But the tiredness is too much.

‘Don’t fight it child, just rest’, I hear God whisper

And with my faith in Him, I enter a deep sleep—

God’s warm glow covering me like a blanket

It feels so good.

And I know no matter where God takes me,

I will be at peace.

From Shackles to Grace.