The Moments We Stand: in Chains

"He walked in the court room in chains. . . but I was also captive. I was bound by choice and didn't know how to let go."A murderer in chains, a widow bound by fear, and a choice to let go. I survived the murder of my husband and continued to raise his babies without him. Little did I know, facing the other woman and the killer in court would be one of the darkest journeys of my life.The murder trial came. I sat on the victim's side. I longed for the peace I prayed would come once the...
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"He walked in the court room in chains. . . but I was also captive. I was bound by choice and didn't know how to let go."A murderer in chains, a widow bound by fear, and a choice to let go. I survived the murder of my husband and continued to raise his babies without him. Little did I know, facing the other woman and the killer in court would be one of the darkest journeys of my life.The murder trial came. I sat on the victim's side. I longed for the peace I prayed would come once the judge announced the verdict.Then it came. The judge stood, and in slow motion the words hit the air. I choked back tears. I looked up at the man on trial. I thought this justice would bring me back to life, but instead I felt dark. In a moment, I had waited for to free me from my bondage, I realized it wasn't another person that would set me free.This is the story of my real fight. The fight for my worth. The choice of my freedom. The moments I didn't just break the bonds, I let them go.No matter your story and struggle, your life is significant. It isn't the dark parts of your journey that define you, but the moments you get back up-despite the pain-and stand. Forgiveness is letting go of the bondage of fear, hate and heartache and realizing all along, the one captive. . . was you.