I was leafing through some old files when I found a poem from a lifetime ago. Instantly, a rush of painful memories flooded my brain.
My life was in shambles. My husband’s gambling was out of control. The ATM kept insisting we had no money. I hated myself for being so helpless.
I prayed constantly, begging God to do something—just as I begged my husband to stop gambling. Both ignored me.
Until the day an envelope came in the mail, with no return address. Inside was a poem—no title, neatly typed, all caps, on crisp white paper. I read it and gasped.
The message was obvious. And terrifying. Spirit was telling me what I had to do—face my fear head on.
At first, I was confused. Wasn’t I facing fear every fricking day? But I was looking from the vantage point of a victim, pitifully wondering, ‘Why me?’
The poem persuaded me to shift my perspective by asking a different question: “What do I need to do…even if it scares me…especially if it scares me?”
Pondering that question set off a series of surprising decisions.
I went to 12 step meetings, like Alanon and Debtors Anonymous. I sought treatment for my codependence. I took classes, read books, got a divorce, did more therapy, signed up for seminars.
Then, seemingly out of the blue, I was hired to interview financially savvy women, wrote a book and became a financial expert. Nothing I would’ve ever believed possible.
And it all started with this poem. Sometimes answered prayers come in unexpected ways.
I’d love to hear your reaction to this poem? Did it help you find the courage to do what you fear? Leave me a comment below.
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