Vital Signs: Tuesday, March 17, 2025

When Fear Meets Forgiveness, There's Freedom

Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

She went to that room in her heart where all the pain was shoved in boxes that lined shelves that lived behind a locked door. Her Brother appeared out of the shadows. “Do you trust Me?” “I’m supposed to,” she replied in a whisper.

She was picking up the pieces of a life that shattered and splintered, and like a spilled milkshake on pavement, nothing could be restored. Years of hard work vanished. Years of love and grace vaporized, and the dense air smelled like shame. Her Brother stepped out of the fog. “Do you trust Me?” She turned away from Him, just like her friends had turned away from her. “I’m trying to. I’m always trying to.”

She sat in the back, glad for dim lights. Folks saw her anyway and took her in. She’d never been so accepted, so loved by almost strangers. They gave her so many gifts that she dared to hold out to them the gift she had hidden in that room of pain. Her Brother showed up with cake and ice cream. “Do you trust Me?” No words. Just tears. Kindly, He asked, “Of what are you afraid?” “Loss.” His whipped, scarred face pleaded. “Look closer at Me. Remember what our Father has done...”

For five seconds she imagined not being afraid of loss. In that moment she saw herself laughing and twirling, unafraid and unashamed.

The sweet air touching her arms felt like freedom. She looked up, and He was still there. “Do you trust Me?” Hot tears. She finally saw the monster idol standing between herself and trust. She tried to tear it down, but it was too big. He touched her shoulder and spoke to the idol, and it shattered and splintered like a milkshake spilled on pavement, and she could see hope and joy and peace, once hidden and elusive and now all around her.

Walking through idol dust, her Brother asked, “Do you trust Me?” Head down, she asked, “Will You forgive me for all the years I didn’t?” The torn, scarred head shook yes. “I already did.” Once wounded hands reached out, and there she put her gift.

And a new journey, a new life, an abundant life, a life full of joy began for the girl.

When fear meets forgiveness, there's freedom. - Deborah Smith

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