I feel as if I should start this one with a disclaimer, because this post won’t be easy to write or easy to read – but it is what’s on my heart.

I prayed for you yesterday, with tears rolling down my face. The tears were quite unexpected, although they shouldn’t have been.  I headed towards the town I grew up in to do a little last minute shopping, and as I got closer and closer it was like a flood of memories came, and I was left with the truth I always know, but have a hard time expressing. So, I began to pray. I prayed because I know that somewhere out there you are going to bed unable to dream outside of this moment. There is no dream – only a hope for survival. Somewhere along the way you gave up on rescue, and live with the reality that people can’t even see what is going on, much less realize you need more than a gift under the tree. You live in this moment, and I live with the knowledge that not everyone will be saved by someone else. While I prayed that eyes would be open to see the need in those around them, I prayed that God would keep your heart and mind safe. That He would have His hand of protection on your heart and mind, until the day you realize that sometimes rescue comes in the form of the person you see in the mirror. I prayed that you would one day be able to put one foot in front of the other, leave behind that life, and look back and see that even in the hardest of times, God was faithful to you. That even in those moments, He was working out a path of escape. I prayed that one day you’ll drive back into that town, not defeated, but instead strong in who you are, confident in His love for you, not held back with bitterness or anger, but free with forgiveness and a strong appreciation for how beautiful this life is. I prayed one day you find a way to help someone else, even if it’s small. You will always see the need and not be able to look away from it, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You’ll find a way to live with doing what you are able, and turn over to the Lord that which you are not. You’ll find people who love, support, and believe in you. I prayed for you, and I pray for you often. I prayed for a soft heart, strong mind, and eyes that look towards the Lord for help. Yes, I prayed for you, not as someone who wants to look away from where you are today, but as someone who once was where you are. Rescue is coming. Even if it comes from you.

This is a beautiful life.