Kasto via Canva Pro

Photo courtesy of Kasto via Canva Pro

Repurposed

From Test to Testimony . . .

First spoken, sentence taught.
A little girl learns her words.
Demanding the swing at recess,
She finds power in being heard.

Chatting at lunch, talking back,
Consoling a heartbroken friend.
She discovers words written to song,
Emotional poetry that helps her mend.

Childhood torn, unexpected story,
Abandoned inside and out.
Her words the only power she has left,
To process, defend, and mask doubt.

Mistaken adult, and new broken heart,
Pain with nowhere to go.
Words that hurt and cover and hide,
The anger in journals she throws.

Redeemed, restored, healed, and heard,
Now her power comes from Him.
Her words telling others they are loved,
No matter where they have been.

He gives a purpose to her pain,
Now she tells His story through hers,
Revealing to others they are never alone,
Using only the gift of her words.

Words that are no longer trapped inside,
Now are light that shines through the rain,
From first word to last, she will use them all,
For His glory, celebrating His name.

Life for Stock via freepik

Just a Thought

I honestly cannot remember when I wrote this poem. The truth is, it doesn’t really matter. It will represent the journey I have already traveled while it continues to represent the journeys to come. Our lives are fluid lessons, waves of beginnings and endings, tides of mistakes and lessons learned. The words of transformation are not stagnant, not a onetime recovery, but a road I will travel again and again. I find peace in the understanding of the shifts. I find solace in the process of becoming. I find hope in the blessing that He is just not done with me yet and tomorrow I will be better than I was today.

My Favorite Heartbeats

Just for You

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

~ Romans 12:2

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Shannon Leach is a slice-of-life encouragement writer and the owner of A Repurposed Heart and ARH Inspirations. Her authentic stories and books about leadership, life, and loving people focus on encouraging others and reminding them they are not alone. Her work can also be found in Guideposts and multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and is the cofounder of the nonprofit The Fostered Gift.

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My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

 

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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