Picture Thoughts: Part 2

Her mouth trembles as she attempts to settle her shaking body. But her will is no match for the darkness and cold that seep within her, freezing every muscle. She tries to cry for help, but the strain of movement sends jolts of pain searing to her delicate head. Defeated, she lies in wait.

Waiting for someone to move the chains.

She is bound tightly with chains. They wrap around her entire body, restricting movement. The girl may struggle to loosen them, but they will not budge. They cannot budge, only grow unceasingly about her, creating an everlasting chain.

A tear trickles down her face as she silently curses herself. It was her fault the chains were there. She had placed them there years ago. But then, it had only been one link she wore as a decoration on her belt loop. As time passed, more and more of the chain began to accrue and slowly but steadily enveloped her.

She didn’t try to stop it.

The girl had continued to add additional links to the collection until she found the process tiring. At this point, she decided to rest. When she awoke, she couldn’t move. Her arms and legs became numb as she lay motionless, day by day. Her mind would race as it looked for a way out. She quickly discovered twisting did nothing. Most of her attempts would end the same way.

Later on, she grew terrified as her heartbeat ceased, and her body turned colder than ice. Her vision started failing, and she could no longer whisper.
The flow of tears continues and she realizes that she will never be able to leave the darkness. She had chosen this path years ago, lost in the moment and unaware of the consequences. There was no way out…
…alone, that is. But with the help of one person, she would be free. One who could break the chains of her sin. One who could undo the effects of death.

Only one who could redeemed her lost soul.

She was ready, if that person ever came. The girl was fully prepared, realizing there was nothing here for her, and that there was nothing to lose. Everything to gain. In a solemn prayer, she asked for help. The first time in forever she became humble enough to admit she was lost and needed something, someone, more than herself.

And in that moment, the chains ceased to grow.

Astoundingly, she saw the end of the chain. It had stopped…her sins had stopped! Before her eyes, the chain began to recoil back, and flung themselves off of her. They disappeared into the darkness, and she was able to feel a sensation within her. A rhythmic pounding in her chest.

Her heart was back…someone had given her her heart back!

Despite the long years of stillness, she lifted herself up and looked around. Her gaze brought light to the darkness, and the darkness receded from her, taking the cold and loneliness that had so long tortured her.

She began to breathe, deeply inhaling the life-giving air that surrounded her as if for the first time. Warmth enveloped her, and she felt something foreign: peace.

A hand clasped her own from beside her. The girl knew who it was before she turned around.

Him. The One who had saved her.




Isn’t it funny how “saved her” and “savior” sound so much alike?