Free You Free Me

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Free You Free Me

By Janie S. Rood

Copyright 2012 Janie S. Rood

Smashwords Edition

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License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. This ebook remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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This is an allegory on healing our spiritual wounds most of which we had no control over. The battles and the scars came from being born into a less than perfect world full of less than perfect people. The prisoners of yesterday hold the keys to our freedom today. Only with the release of those we hold hostage can we be certain of our own freedom.

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Dedicated to and in memory of my brother Bobby whose life was much too short. To Ann for dedicating her life to kids like me. Both loved and believed in me. Thank you Jesus for a place to honor you.

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Chapter 1

Strange, I never noticed this prison inside the corner of my heart. I am the builder. I can’t recall ever laying the foundation nor envisioning such a build. One day I needed a place to put those who had injured some part of me and there it was for my exact need. An obscure odd-shaped structure, free from the opinions of others. It was secluded, forgotten to all but me.

Who am I? I am judge, jury and victim. I am a prisoner’s nightmare whose plea of innocence and forgiveness go unheard. His explanations fall upon deaf ears. It has been determined by me to make them suffer for their unacceptable conduct toward me. The final blow to their pitiful life comes when the steel door of my prison locks them in. There are no frills, no comforting pleasures where I house them. The barest of bare, the coldest of cold greets them each day. I rather enjoy walking up and down the hallways of my little prison. Rarely do I stop to notice each unless to remind them of their hideous crimes against me. I enjoy pouring out like vinegar words into their open wounds, reminders of their loathsome deeds against me. The more I talk of their crime the sweeter the revenge rises in my being. I dangle the keys in front of them as they stretch toward me trying to retrieve them. Some beg for mercy. I know full well they don’t want mercy just freedom. I’m not stupid, should I release them they would only hurt me again. I am wise to their corrupt ways, You over there don’t pretend you don’t see me, I called out to her as she crouched in the corner. Come over here and let me tell you again why judgment was passed upon you. Perhaps the years have fogged your memory of the poison in your venom; a tongue set on fire was yours remember? It destroyed my life for a season. I’ve recovered quite well which must eat at you daily. Your plans of destruction failed. You were vile in the past, you are vile now and you will die a wretched, vile individual! What nothing to say now! What a shame, a person with so much hate and jealousy and bitterness flinches at my words as though being struck by an assailant. Where is your fire? Did you know you make my day? I’m driven by a force even I don’t understand, to wield my sword in your direction! I’m always energized after I stop to see you. Should someone mention your name to me my pulse quickens. Pity the soul who would say a kindness of you in my presence. Who knows what injury I might inflict upon them perhaps I would lock them away? She doesn’t fight back. She is ceasing to be fun. Her fists clench. She curls in the tiny place and refuses to be invaded by me. It makes no real difference. It is I who locked her away not the other way around. She hasn’t the power to hurt me or anyone any longer. I felt a tap on my shoulder, startled, I turned. Excuse me your honor, I was asked to usher you into court, the Guard of my prisoners said. I’m not holding court today, I told him.

It’s not your court but another has summoned you.

There must be some mistake. I’m not a witness for anyone I’m aware of, are you?

I was just asked to deliver you.

Well then shall we go see what this Judge wants? As I approached the door to the courtroom, I knew this was not just another case or another judge like myself. This was THE Judge! I’d heard about Him for years and aspired to be just like Him. None as fair and just toward those who stood before Him. Rich or poor all were treated the same. I’d overheard some refer to Him as the Judge of great forgiveness and mercy. As I entered He motioned for me to approach the bench. He leaned over and his eyes seem to peer into my soul. Without a clue as to why I was here I felt uncomfortable as I shifted under His Silent Scrutiny. Upon His bench was a brass plaque with the words,’ Judge not, lest ye be judged’. A sense of relief flowed over me as I read those words.

Do you know why I have summoned you? He asked.

My mind shuffled its stored files for past transgressions, racing to one file then the next…nothing! No Sir, I don’t, I answered.

The Judge tapped His pen against the plaque I had just read, What exactly do these words mean to you?

Treat others as they treat you, I said.

It has come to my attention you do indeed live by it. I squared my shoulders and stood tall as pride swelled within me. This was The Judge and He had taken notice of ME. How quickly pride galloped away with His next question.

…And when someone hurts you how do you respond?

I must have appeared as a deflated balloon when ego rode pride out of town as I answered, Tread on them as they treaded on me. I mean, treat, treated, Your Honor, I corrected.

He was not amused, I’m sure you do and that is precisely your sin, He informed me.

SIN! I’m here for sin that’s your charge? This is an outrage. This isn’t justice, I cried out.

Justice, you’re seeking justice is it? His eyebrows raised in question.

I didn’t dare blurt the response out too quickly. If I answered yes He’d imprison me. If I answered no then I had no excuse for my prison. Maybe if I throw myself upon the mercy of the court yes, that’s it! Mercy! Your Honor, not justice, bad choice of words. I seek Mercy.

Ah yes, mercy! The wheels were turning at rapid speed in your head weren’t they? Reason threw everything she had to keep you afloat before you grabbed onto mercy. You and Reason have become tight as the saying goes, haven’t you?

I’m sorry who?

You heard me. You and your Reason. She comes to you after each judgment you pass upon the cringing cripplers of your life. She confirms your actions by giving you approval of your judgments against those who hurt you. She strokes your ego with words, which pour over you as honey. No one comforts you like she does. She agrees with your right to feel betrayed. Reason with her lyrics of love and sweet oil pouring over your wounded soul. I find most people intimate with Reason are quick to judge others. Let’s move on to your sentencing. I find you guilty. The remainder of your years will be spent tearing down your prized prison stone by ugly stone. You will set free all prisoners bound by you. Never again will you take anyone captive for any reason. He opened a Book and read from it, You will help the blind to see. You will free those who are in prison and you will lead those who live in darkness out of their prison, (Isaiah 42: 7)If you truly seek My mercy then you must show mercy without exception. One more thing before I let you go, if you so much as hold another’s toothbrush for ransom, I think you understand Me. His tone left no doubt to the seriousness of my sentencing. Guard, please come show this judge out.

I pulled away from the hand that firmly grasped my arm, Wait a minute I don’t know what just took place here! I’m convicted of a sin and told to tear down my prison and release those inside. I’m told never to pass judgment on another whether it’s justified or not. Your Honor, begging Your indulgence but isn’t this a bit excessive?

He shook His head, Not at all. The difficulty you’re having is in grasping your guilt in all of this.

Your Honor, I only imprison those who torment others and have made it clear they don’t deserve a place in society. They wreck lives and devastate families. Their tongues are set ablaze with the fury of hell. Granted some are guilty of far lesser crimes but guilty none-the-less. I have devoted my life to protecting others from such criminals.

No! You have spent your life making those who tormented YOU pay with their lives. Not only have you imprisoned them to protect YOU, but you have kept them from setting their own captives free. Until you learn to forgive you will remain the most deplorable of all the prisoners you hold. By ordering you to tear it all down you will have no place to imprison yourself. This is not an unfair judgment. It’s more than your prisoners were offered. Look at it as a step toward your own freedom. Either way you will accomplish this. Rebellion may be in your heart and Reason at your heels but let me assure you my instructions will be carried out. Many times you’ve been granted a choice between forgiveness and unforgiveness and by the obvious overcrowding of your prison you chose wrong. Now you’ve forced My hand in the matter. I do not change so if there is nothing more go and do what is ordered.

Your Honor, I have no defense. I am without plea and in light of Your wisdom mine dims. There was what seemed an eternity of silence. The Judge’s face softened. He stepped down from His seat of Judgment placing an arm around my shoulder, You answered well. Truth is the light. In the Light earthly wisdom has no voice. Come, let us find a place to refresh and renew before you begin your journey to freedom, His tone now soothing and inviting.

…But Sir isn’t this unusual? You are my Judge and yet You have compassion for me. My fate literally lies in Your hands, still You offer me refreshment and renewal.

His pleasure in me seems to deepen as delight flickered in His eyes,