"From Bitterness to Freedom" (Day 23)

Verse of the Day
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
 
I was born in Danforth, Maine. When I look back over my life, I see pain and hardship, but I also see the faithfulness of God. My story has not been easy, but it shows how God carried me through every season.
 
When I was only eight months old, my stepfather threw me down a flight of stairs. That fall left lasting damage on my right side, and it took me sixteen years to learn how to tie my own shoes. My stepfather was an alcoholic, and our home was filled with anger, cruelty, and abuse. My mother had twelve children, though one died at birth, so eleven of us grew up together in a very difficult home.
 
In the middle of those painful years, God gave me a gift—my grandparents. They loved me and gave me a safe place when life at home felt frightening. Their care helped me make it through childhood.
 
As I grew older, I carried deep pain inside me. But one day, after my stepfather died, I felt God urging me to do something very hard. I went to his grave and prayed. I asked God to help me forgive him. Forgiveness did not excuse what he had done, but it allowed me to give my pain to God. That day something lifted from my shoulders, and I felt freedom for the first time.
 
Later in life, I became a mother to my son Jamie, one of the greatest blessings in my life. I experienced another abusive marriage, but with the help of family I left. Years later, God surprised me with a wonderful gift—Norman Francis. For 23 years he treated me with kindness and love, and he encouraged my faith and my friendships. When he passed away in 2023, it was one of the hardest moments of my life, yet I thank God for the years we shared.
 
My faith has been part of my journey since I was baptized at age sixteen. Over the years I learned that faith is not about rules or appearances. As one minister once told me, “As long as you have Christ in your heart, that’s what really matters.” Those words stayed with me.
 
Today I spend time in prayer and Scripture, share devotionals with friends, and enjoy the blessing of being a grandmother. Life has brought pain, loss, and hardship—but also forgiveness, healing, love, and hope. Looking back, I can say with confidence: God has been faithful through it all. - Sharon Batchelder
 
Thought for the Day
Forgiveness does not erase the past, but it opens the door to freedom and healing in Christ. Is there a burden, memory, or hurt you need to bring to God today so that your journey of transformation can continue?

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