I was the fly in the trap, drawn towards a danger I did not recognize by a scent so sweet which promised to take all of the bad things away.
I was the mouse in the cage, drawn towards a substance that claimed it would take my hunger and shelter me from the rain of life that was pouring down around me.
I was the innocent child taken advantage of by vile creatures that were spewn from hell. Spat upon and broken down until my fighting spirit was shredded, crushed, and ground into dust.
But my story didn’t end there. Like so many others who were in the pits of despair ready to trade one emptiness for another I was ready to let it all go. I yelled up to Heaven, “I can’t take this weight anymore! Please take it away, I’d rather be empty inside that filled with the garbage of defeat.”
But to my surprise Heaven answered with a whisper, “I will take your load my child. In fact My hand has been outstretched your entire life just waiting for you to grab it. I’ve seen your heartbreak and trials, and with each tear you cried, I’ve shed two. For while you were down there hurting, I was here hurting with you. So I’ll not just take this pain and weight away, I’ll take your bitterness and replace it with My love. I’ll take your pain, and fill you with My joy; your weakness, for My strength; your mourning, for My joy; and your worry, for My peace.”
Now I am no longer a boy disfigured by this world, my legs crippled in fear, my head dropped in shame, and my back broken from a burden to large for me to bear.
I have become a man whose head can be raised in confidence, my back strengthened and healed, my legs straight with purpose, and my heart filled with love.
And I thank Heaven above.