Dear Self,

I remember the storm,
The bruises, invisible yet heavy,
How your heart, once bright,
Faded into shadows of his rage.
But even in the darkest nights,
Jesus was there, whispering,
“You are not alone.”

You were so young,
Early twenties,
Still figuring out where you belonged,
When his words turned to shackles,
And his hands became chains.
But you, oh you,
Were never meant to be caged,
For Christ had already claimed you.

I watched you break free,
Each step away from him
Like shedding a layer of pain.
The weight—both body and soul—
Fell away,
And in that lightness,
You found yourself again,
Cradled in His grace.

I saw you stand in the mirror,
Your reflection clearer than it had been
In years.
Jesus stood with you,
Teaching you to love her,
The woman He had created
With purpose and beauty.

You embraced every curve,
Every scar,
Every story etched into your skin,
Knowing that through His wounds,
You were healed.
And in His love,
You learned to love yourself.

You became your own hero,
But not without the hand of the One
Who carried you through it all.
A survivor with grace,
Rebuilding a life
He never deserved to touch.
With Christ beside you,
The world opened up—
Bright, endless, full of possibility.

Now, you carry that strength,
That love for yourself,
And for Him,
As a beacon for others.
A reminder that darkness can be left behind,
And that in Jesus, true joy is found,
For He is the Savior
Who made your heart whole.

With love,
The You Who Found Herself in Him