I have
Received a Giving Key
With the word
STRENGTH
My Story
I think like most people, upon receiving the key is a lot of pressure. To know that the key was either purchased for you or handed down from a line of people and now finally to you is overwhelming of itself. That evening, when she gave me the key, I knew it was something that I didn't deserve, but needed.
"I have something for you," as she walked into the other room to grab it, revealing a small key. "It was given to me by a friend, and now it's yours." "Strength..." I was confused as I turned the key over. "I'm going to lose this" as I thought to myself. "Something just tells me you need this."
I always wore it, never wanting to lose it. Not only did it signify our friendship, but the key itself had always intrigued me. Was it suppose to give me strength? When will I know to give it to the next person? I myself was going through a lot. But she was always there for me even when she wasn't sure of her own faith at times or if I deserved it at all.
2017 was my hardest year of my life, losing a lot of good friends, transitioning into new places, and seeking out new friends and routines. I was damaged. I struggled with my faith, but there was always the push to go find it. I continued to make new meaningful relationships and better guidance for things to come.
I constantly found God making his way into my life when it seemed things were lost. The key itself was not to give me strength, but to remember the strength my friend had always hoped for me. Over these two years, even though I saw the very lowest point of my life, I had worked my way back to being strong, enjoying the process of it all and things that are currently in my life.
That's when I knew when to pay it forward, I have finally got my own strength. The person I am giving it to now almost mirrors my same story as she shared hers with me so it's time for Paige to begin her story. I will be sad not having the key, but I will be more happy to know that the story of this giving key continues. Isaiah 58:11
Ian
