Now, here's a first in about 3 decades. I think my brother will be happy to know that I have finally tried my hand at poetry again.

The painting is an art class project that would have landed in the trash can had our teacher not managed to fix up the nose I had so severely messed up.

Imagine, if you will,

oh, think for a moment

of a life without the masks

that we use to hide

all the pain inside.

How awesome to break away

from the facade

of success and drivenness

that won't afford us rest.

The fear of being caught out

as fake or imposter broken.

No longer a stronghold

has the wounds yet unspoken.

The enemy doesn't want us to heal.

He's come to destroy, kill and steal.

He tries to break us more

because once wholly healed,

we'll be a threat to his evil schemes.

He can't afford to have us share our story

of wonderous healing and breakthroughs

that bring God the glory.

But imagine the strength we could wield,

when our true selves are revealed.

No longer bound by chains of fear,

our hearts and minds crystal clear.

With courage, we face the dawn,

a new day where we're reborn.

In unity, we stand tall; together, we won't fall.

No more hiding behind

"I'm F.I.N.E."

but fully embracing life

and abiding in the Vine.

For in our healing, we find might,

a beacon shining in the night.

The enemy's grip will fade away,

as we embrace a brighter day

and new dimensions

of influence await.

Believe me if I tell you

that's entirely possible

because for me, Christ has done just that

and He wants to do it for you, too.

He'll break you free from ALL pain and shame

so you can feel His joy again.

Patrizia E. Schwartz

29/09/2024

This is the journey of becoming "real" ...

→ expressing who I am;

my own particular personality, temperament, gifts, etc.

→ real is what you become when you're loved

→ once you've become real, you can't become unreal

→ it lasts forever