Old, young, or in-between, I suppose we each tote with us a “dear younger me,” words sung by Mercy Me. It’s those younger-me-activities finding their regrets fostered in the heart that leave scars crying out:
“I wish I hadn’t done that.”
The stern reality expressed in the song’s lyrics, “You were never meant to carry this beyond the cross,” strike for a moment’s solace, but the memories will return again, just wait and see.
Though we all may boast with like-reasoning, some have been gifted to speak and write gracefully on the subject I think more so than others, willing to bear their souls before the accepting, condemning, and critical alike, almost disturbingly having reached a place that harbors only what’s ahead, shucking the weight of the past, even if that past was just yesterday.
Such is the writing ability of Jeanna Caldwell, author of the site that bears her name for the world to see, just as the world is welcomed into some of the chambers of her life most of us aggressively choose to keep padlocked.
In a recent article spent thrashing about the delicate agony of failed marriages, titled I Kissed Grace Goodbye, we are made privileged to these thoughts,
“One stolen kiss was all it took to bind myself in chains. I was in a vulnerable place–seemingly rejected–and staring straight at the world with naïve curiosity. I said goodbye to grace and hello to losing. Lost value, lost worth, lost discernment. Contented singleness was devoured by discontented desires. I traded in my values for his, because at all costs–I had to make it work. I planned the wedding without a proposal. We were married 4 years after the stolen kiss. It was only a kiss. It was only a kiss.”
This is but one of a growing archive of moving and challenging articles by this author, and I’ll not be giving away where my blogging buddy’s (I am thankful for the given moniker) anchor finds it’s hold, I have a feeling you know. Still, one final stolen line I share, “Shake that old stuff off…and welcome to the new.” Take a look… you’ll be glad you did.
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Praise God for the CHANGES He makes in us and for thee confidence we have in Him that He will continue His work until it is complete.
Amen our good friend, amen! Prayers healing continues in your home. It is a blessing to hear from you.
Sometimes when you hit the publish button the emotions inside you are indescribable…sometimes they are easily described–fear, shame, hope, relief, joy…for I Kissed Grace Goodbye I felt totally exposed. When speaking with friends, I jokingly referred to it as my #foreveralone post, because I just let the world know just how strange I am. Thank you for speaking such kind words about me and my attempts at writing. I am grateful for your sharing of my words…your own comments reflect and communicate the grace of our Savior, that’s something I needed after a revealing post like that. Blessings friend.
It is a rare gift to find an open heart, not for open heart’s sake, but an open heart that points all onlookers towards the cross of Christ good friend. Your grace-filled words will point many toward our Savior I believe. Indeed… thank you.