Hi ~

My college years were a very long time ago, back when college was affordable.

The price of college is a different story (which could become a rant). THIS story is about reconnecting with someone from those college days.

I knew Sharon Shaffer as a sweet and kind girl, but I didn't know her well. It turned out that she was carrying some deep pain.

The bad (but most likely well-meaning) counsel she received about her pain sent her away from Christianity . . . and the Lord.

Many years later, the Lord came back into her life, and she was transformed by His love.

Sharon's story is a heartbreaking and beautiful one, but I'll leave the telling of that to her. In the meantime, she has sent me some of her writing, which reflects her beautiful soul.

It's one of those pieces that, with her permission, I am delighted to share with you today.

***

Fear cascaded down

Like ice cold water

Into my innermost cavern.

Its streaming rivulets adhered to the rock walls,

And drop by drop

Each thought echoed in the dark pool.

Waiting . . .

For light,

For warmth,

For the moment it would somehow stop.

No matter how much I wanted,

No human hand could reach that depth

Or penetrate those sedimentary walls.

No embrace could warm that cold, cold pool

That rippled in the deep.

But you desired, and only you

To have gently seeped in,

Between the slightest crevices.

You began to illuminate the darkness,

Like you have in the fathoms of your most mysterious seas,

Light where no light was ever expected to be found.

Did I want you there?

Did I want your ways?

No . . .

But I couldn’t control the drowning pressure,

Or its icy indifference.

Even in my reluctance,

You began to design the changes.

With the softest of light, you allowed my eyes to see,

The unusual beauty of your grace in my darkest places.

Such restrained power . . .

Of one who could have demanded entrance,

Or have simply crushed all boundaries

Without any effort.

Such love . . .

To meet me where I was

And so serenely illuminate me from within.

***

My friend, as we continue to pray for those who in their confusion and pain have walked away from the Lord, never forget that His love continues to be very present and this story is not over.

No false teaching untangled today, but we all need a break from that occasionally.

Thankful with you for the wooing love of the Lord,

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

Trauma-informed Christian book coach at Rebecca Davis WordWorking

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