Hiding in the dark crevices and

locked behind a door of secrecy,

there is an ugliness to those shadows.

Cloaked in the stains of the past.

Veiled in obscurity.

The complexities shrouded by their enormity.

All hidden in the darkness of past pain.

Of rejection.

Of disappointment.

Hidden. Buried. Unseen.

But not for you.

You know.

You are keenly aware,

and though it is buried deep within,

it is still painful.

The depth of such darkness

reveals just how much light is needed.

Because only light can change the perspective.

Except…

the path to the light can be painful.

Reflecting the light,

every particle of dust,

every stain,

every scar…

…exposed.

Yet somehow, in the light.

a breakthrough—

there is freedom.

Freedom from the control of the shadows.

Freedom from the burden of the past,

a weight is lifted as truth becomes a reality.

A new reality.

One of hope and love and forgiveness.

Peace that comes from a healing within.

And even what had seemed to be allusive

—JOY—

comes as you face a new day…

A new future.

A new life.

One that you will never again face alone—

because the light is a person:

“I am the light of the world!” —Jesus