Merry Toth, Friends of Guest House, June 14, 2021

My Journey Began

My journey began as a loved child

Spoiled and disciplined

Then when I became the age of choosing,

I chose the wrong path.

The path I chose was fun.

There was a boat ahead

And when I got in that boat,

I wasn’t given any oars.

One day I knew

One day after drifting,

That time had gotten away from me

And I looked into the water

And realized I was becoming an old woman.

I knew that I had let life get away from me.

I looked to the land and saw my family.

While I was drifting down the rocky stream

Filled with darkness and struggle,

They had light and laughter I could hear.

I had missed so much.

I yelled for help.

Someone came and got me.

But when I was thrown a rope

I had consequences to pay.

Determined to save the only life I could

The consequences I had to pay

For the life I had no direction

But darkness had its consequences

Waiting at the shore.

Put in a cell where I could reflect

On the life I did not have and the things I had done

While drifting in the dark with no oars.

A demon had attached itself to me,

And directed my life and had chains on me,

but invisible they were,

but there all the same.

This time in a cell gave me time to think

About what to do now.

A new life awaited me.

Was I going to get back in that boat

And put the chains back on, or

Choose a new path?

A path full of life,

No longer being controlled by the demon that was my closest companion,

but my worst enemy who only wanted my soul.

Today, I have chosen life.

The years in the boat adrift I learned many lessons.

I am able to be a strong woman.

I have chosen God to direct my life.

No more chains, but

Freedom at last.