I am Original

“You are strange,” said Sandy*.

“No I am not strange, I am original,” replied Deanna*, jokingly.

I listened to the two ladies chatter back and forth, and thought about Psalm 139:14.

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I thought how different these two beautiful spirits were, and how unique each lady was, in their own right. Both were as different as day and night, and yet both were brought together under one roof by circumstance.

It was hard to believe these two have only known each other for a month, yet they acted as if they were sisters. You see, both are residents of a women’s shelter for victims of domestic violence.

As I drove these two around to run errands, it warmed my heart to see them thriving, even after the horrors they have been through. After returning back to the home, I peeked through the door of the kitchen and marveled at how two strangers worked alongside each other like siblings, as they put away groceries.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, “if either of them falls down, one can help the other up..”

That is what I witnessed, one helping the other, in their own unique way.

Yes, we are all original. Luke 12:7 says,”Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

At the shelter, we strive to help these victims become survivors, to thrive through love; to learn to embrace their originality.

*names have been changed to protect the innocent.