pain

i have lived much of my life without understanding pain
the diversity and effects saturate lives
there is nothing that can prevent it
it is what we relate from
communicate from
and perceive our world from
it goes unthought of and forgotten
to invite it into our thinking is dangerous
it has much potential
will we find ourselves slaves
or sweetly liberated from the chains?
does this ability come from within
to face demons of abandonment, addiction, rape,
abuse, fear, hurt, worthlessness, selfishness, pride,
lust, and expectations. . . life
which produce pain

who has offered us liberation
who has promised to release us from this bondage
to love us despite and in the midst of these monsters
when we are wounded, broken, and desperate
who looks at us with eyes of compassion
that penetrate every thread of our pain
who embraces us gently whispering
you are more than your pain
you are loved as you are
a life was exchanged to free you from the death of pain
now we can be new
knowing that pain exists
looking it in the eye
while embracing him who brings liberation
sweetly liberated from this bondage
and invited into so much more