Out of Egypt...

...and into the promised land....by faith Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness...out of captivity and into freedom. It took faith...it took grit...and many did not see the promised land...and yet, they were free. Free of captivity, free of fear and loathing...free of punishment, of anger, of violence and terror....

Free to choose...something that does not get talked of within the story is the sense of freedom they must have felt...wildnerness or no...the overwhelming joy that must have settled on their shoulders as they made their way out and across the Red Sea...to turn and see God's miracles, to see the enemy swallowed up by the sea...free at last.

No matter the hardships that followed, they were theirs to choose...

No matter the issues that may have arisen on that journey, they were free to choose...free to worship their God as they saw fit...free to love, to give, to live in joy and peace....this alone was a miracle of gigantic proportions. For one who has experienced captivity...being released from the cage of despair is a feeling unlike any other...your soul flies on the wind, on the blue skies above, on the wings of the eagle flying overhead...on the twitching ears of the deer moving daintily into the brush...as you stand quietly in the face of the beauty of creation and listen, the heart that was once imprisoned flies high...so high...

This dear hearts...this is what you have to look forward to....the freedom of your heart, your soul, your very spirit...though damaged and broken will soar to new heights...will see every thing in a new light...oh, how I hope I convey the sense of peace, of tranquility...of the profound newness to all things when released from the pit...

No matter where life may take you...there is a sense of awe...of beauty in all things...from the butterfly who flutters round bout you, lands on your leg no matter where you walk on that beach....to the oh-so young cinnamon coloured moose calf that turns to gaze at you...to the hug of a loved one...the peace that only comes with freedom from fear, from the torture you have endured in whatever form. As waking from a nightmare...from a dream...you will stand and survey all around you with new eyes...it takes time my friends...it takes time to come out from under the oppression imposed on your person, your spirit. It comes in degrees so as not to overwhelm...to knock you off your feet....

It is with a thankful heart that I write this morning...in peace...with my cup of heaven at my elbow...no longer under the burden of loving and caring for someone who only wishes my destruction...wishes to see me hurting to alleviate his agony, his suffering...no longer...

The promised land is ahead...it lays before me and I rejoice and praise the One who left the 99 to find the 1...to come after me in the pit...the One who waded into the muck and the mire to save me...

I have no words to express my gratitude, my thankfulness to a God who never leaves, nor forsakes...for the people in my life who have spoken life, spoken love to these dry bones...

My heart weeps with joy and thankfulness for the kindnesses and compassion...for the co-workers who have stood beside me and cheered me on as I learn new skills and bone up on old skills...miracles my friends...miracles exist and happen every day....your miracles are waiting for you to take that small step of faith...it feels like a leap of massive proportions when behind the bars, I know dear lost ones, I know....but I would speak truth to you and say it is worth every second of breathless fear and anticipation...every second of grief and sorrow, of shedding the burden of the one who hurts you...your love for that person may never fade but your self worth will build and build until it doesn't pain your heart as much...there is relief my friends, there is surcease....

Stand tall today dear hearts...stand tall, walk proud and know your worth...you are a fearfully and wonderfully made creation...unique and beautiful in every way. Now walk it out...with wisdom and patience and grace walk your way to a new journey, to that promised land awaiting you. All things are possible with God and He will make a way...trust in one who has never left you...has stood by your side as you have suffered and knows your heart, knows your suffering. May God bless you with His strength and courage, His grace and mercy and comfort as you move forward, as you take each step to freedom.