Sing...

This morning as I sit in contemplation and sip my favoured poison (diet coke, don't judge! It's five o'clock somewhere), I lift my face to one who has never left nor forsaken.

I have traveled widely, spoken eloquently, read voraciously, delved deep...

I have listened quietly to others as they spoke of their god, their belief system...

I have taken heart and spirit into places I could never imagine these feet would have taken me.

No matter the belief, no matter who you stand for, there is one who stands above.

You could ask how I know this, and rightly so.

Through countless conversations, through reading and research of my own, and lastly, most importantly, through near death experiences.

Crying out to a God I have known and believed in since a young girl...crying out for someone, anyone to save me.

Guess who showed up? Stopping the hand of my attacker, the monster I called mine, the man I believed I loved; something seen not by me, no.

Seen by the raging man, bent on ending my life and sinking body into the deepest section of Ootsa Lake.

I believed myself so alone...in despair and utter submission after two plus hours of being dragged, bitten, slapped, punched, choked and more, I was ready to leave this world. So tired I could not lift my head nor hands to stop the rock beginning its descent.

In conversation with Dave later, I asked what stopped him in that exact moment. What did he see? The terror of seeing a man kneeling between us had shaken him deeply. He refused to speak about it, only confirming with a nod yes, that there had been someone there. That, yes, he had roared one word...NOOOO.

There is one who I declare will be the truest of friends until the day I leave this world, on a day ordained by Him.

The love, the grace, the hope and peace, the comfort and compassion felt, seen, known, will be with me til that day come.

And so I will sing His praises....I will sing to one who has proven His love, who showed up when I felt there was no one to do so. At my lowest, His Loving presence saved me.

Truly, there are no words to express my love for God, my understanding that I was never alone, that in reaching out to Him I was granted grace and a strength I didn't know I had.

To live another day...to find my way out of the pit and no longer live under the roof of a maniac disguising himself as a 'nice' man.

My friends, this morning what I know is this; love saves. It saved me.

No matter where you are, or who you believe in, He is there.

No matter how bad the circumstance you find yourself in, He is there and will provide a way. God grant you strength, grant you courage to find your way free.

He does NOT expect sacrifice at the alter of abuse. That is NOT His way.

Despite what the Church will tell you, submitting to mistreatment and forever forgiving is NOT His way.

Forgiveness for those who commit atrocities is not required, or would we say that we are better than God?

He does not forgive terrorizing women and children, He does not forgive abuses and narcissism. Remember my friends, repentance brings salvation, brings forgiveness from God. And they will never repent, barring a miracle of epic proportions.

Find your way free...fight your way free...love yourself enough to choose peace, love, joy, compassion and basic human kindness.

You're worth it.