“It was incredible! I thought I had hit a wall, but then…”
I listened amazed. The story was almost beyond belief yet I believed. It was crazy, amazing, exciting, and painful. As it unfolded, a story in itself yet part of a longer journey and bigger story, I found myself looking through the lenses of time, community, family, and the story shared between us.
As I replay the story and my reaction to it, I realize that I have heard the story of mountains, valleys, oppression, and overcoming before. In this case, knowing more about the characters involved made the story more interesting. Additionally, the context and ways unforeseen helping hands impacted everyone was fascinating. It seems that luck and good fortune had their roles but I knew there was more than what I had seen and was told.
Where is the starting point of my story? Have I marked the spot? Is it a date or an event? Do others share it with me or is it something that I have hidden deep within.
As I look at the turning points, I realize that our stories share a common thread that involves others. In each, friends as well as strangers acted without the intent of recognition or reward. With some, you understand that their response came from a deep love and friendship. With the strangers, one wonders what it was within each that gave them the courage, energy, and willingness to act.
In celebrating the outcome, I was energized by the enduring themes of forgiveness, compassionate action, and restoration. While the players and context were unique, the outcome was not! It was as if he had heard the psalmist’s call; “All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression.” (Psalm 107.2)
Today is a fresh starting point and a new chapter. With the light, I am in a place where I can open myself up to possibilities and opportunities. It is, potentially, a fresh starting point. The freedom to choose, act, and live is within each.
