{"id":120,"date":"2014-11-25T01:06:40","date_gmt":"2014-11-25T01:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/horizonsmagazine.com\/blog\/?p=120"},"modified":"2014-11-25T01:06:40","modified_gmt":"2014-11-25T01:06:40","slug":"the-cost-of-freedom-by-elizabeth-stamper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horizonsmagazine.com\/blog\/the-cost-of-freedom-by-elizabeth-stamper\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cost of Freedom by Elizabeth Stamper"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Elizabeth<\/a>

Elizabeth Stamper<\/p><\/div>\n

How can I return mercy
\nfor lack of mercy
\nand kindness for what
\nappears to be unkind\u2014
\nI must see this differently.<\/p>\n

How can I think I am good
\nand you are guilty\u2014as if
\nonly I would know
\nwhat\u2019s right and wrong\u2014
\nI must see us differently.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

How can I feel so unholy
\nand undeserving, yet reach for
\na god of perfect love
\nhoping we are one?
\nI must see me differently.<\/p>\n

How can I not forgive
\nand not give thanks
\nwhen your heart is always here
\nand holding out its hand?
\nI must see you differently.<\/p>\n

I would return to peace\u2014now\u2014
\nthis very minute\u2014
\ngiving up my point of view,
\nmy practiced pain,
\nmy innocent face\u2014
\nfor none of that is worth
\nthe cost of freedom
\nand the sacrifice of grace.<\/p>\n

I would release this ancient blindness
\nand return to you, return to me,
\nreturn to peace . . .
\nright now.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Stamper<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>
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