Light Giver...

Thank you to my forever friend who gently, kindly redirected my thoughts...or perhaps that is not entirely accurate. It was a pulling back of the corner of a blanket, held in front and behind, beside and beset with sadness and sorrow.

Shining life-giving light into the blackest of darkness, in the valley I was traversing.

The evening before, I was on the verge of walking out the door, hand on doorknob, one foot over the sill when I found my grumpy self exclaiming out loud; 'I am so blessed! I'm on my way over to have a red-seal worthy meal and watch a movie with two of my favourite people.'

Loved to distraction by their dogs and one old-timer kitty cat.

You see my friends, you CAN be kind in telling the truth.

I felt loved...I felt seen...I felt accepted and cherished for who I am and how far I've come these past few years; by the grace of my heavenly Father.

I was reminded of the miracles that have brought me out of that small town and closer to my family, into a time of growth, and I believe, restoration.

Life is not over...there is much to accomplish, much to see, learn, do.

Dreams to see fulfilled, friends to laugh with, to cry with, to grow with.

Among those friends, I count a son who lives with such character, with such honor and grace, it brings me to tears. Blessed with his girlfriend who takes my wellbeing very seriously and quite ferociously.

My quiver is full, as they say, and while I wait on God and set goals to achieve my dreams and plans, I am content.

I am at peace...

I am at rest....

I have been witness to such insane levels of love these past months that even if I were a staunch atheist, I would have found myself on my knees in thanks to a God who MUST exist in order to bestow such levels of grace upon mankind.

If every person on this earth acted as these few friends and family comport themselves, there would be a natural fallout to war, to strife and calamity, to hate.

Instead...calm.

Instead...peace.

Instead...life.

There IS indeed a light at the end of your particular tunnel.

No matter how dark it may seem right this moment, tomorrow, or the next day, wil find you in the arms of peace, of light so bright you cry out with joy and laughter.

And

Every

Single

Day

Of sorrow

Of heartache,

Will be worth breaking through, to find...THIS.

Love will find you...

Peace be with you...

God grant you strength to come out the other side.

I beg of you, find your way free of abuse.

You know it to be so...

You just haven't accepted it yet.

Accepted the perceived failure...

Understood the gravity of the situation you find yourself in, and the very real threat of losing your sanity, or life.

Forgiven yourself for your perceived gullibility and release the undeserved shame hanging over your head.

Find your way free to a life you truly deserve.

Not what they tell you, by word and by deed, you deserve.

God has never expected women to take coercion, manipulation, silent treatment, gas lighting, physical abuse, torture, mind games, betrayals...

The list is long, and none of them are yours to carry...not one.

Not your responsibility to save someone who refuses to be saved, and worse, does not believe they need to be.

Not your task to mend a broken and fractured spirit, so twisted and gnarled, it no longer resembles a human being.

Yours is to love yourself, then others, else find yourself depleted, exhausted, emptied.

I have been shown the best of love, through action louder than any words could truly express.

I now go where I am celebrated...

You can too, I promise, you can.