“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…” Joel 2:25 (KJV)
“I took away her dreams,” my husband told the judge. His
words stung. My dreams of bearing children, finishing my college degree, and
pursuing my goal of becoming a writer seemed impossible. At thirty, I hit rock
bottom and started over in a dead-end job I hated. Tears welled up as I wept bitterly.
Thirty-three years later, I thank God he did not save my
marriage. As an abuse survivor, I learned to be kind to myself. Prayer and
reading God’s Word helped me to heal. I discovered freedom through travel. I
found new ways to earn my college degree and studied internationally. I eventually
earned my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. I learned to keep a short memory.
I overcame bitterness by developing a positive attitude. I discovered beauty because
I chose to look for it. I learned to love better and adopted two beautiful little
girls from Nepal and Vietnam. I homeschooled them and learned patience. I chose to forgive. I was most surprised to learn that locusts
can only eat so much. Then they die.
With the wind at my back and
the sand underneath my feet, I no longer lament the years the locusts stole
from me. They aren’t worth remembering. Only my footprints remain for others to
follow. Instead, I’m thankful. Nothing is ever wasted, especially suffering. By
taking that first step toward healing, we can share our victories despite our
pain. Others will be encouraged when they see our footprints and know someone has gone before.
Prayer: Loving Father, help us to follow your
footprints in the sand as we leave our own, forgetting the past and looking
forward to the future.
