Castle of Redemption

I am not a religious person. By the way of nature, I consider myself to be more mindful of my spirituality. This is not new news by any means; I am just more open about the things I believe in.

It recently occurred to me that I have spent a great part of my life trying to save other people from themselves rather than trying to save myself. What was I trying to save them from I can't really say in hindsight.

To be honest, I look back now and wonder why it took me so long to save myself. Then I realized that it was because it takes action steps and accountability to be redeemed from the things that hurt my soul.

Not every day is easy, but each day does get easier with just one new thought that requires action and then taking that step. Rome wasn't built in a day; it took the conscious choice to get up every day and put the work in.

I know that I cannot single handedly save a world that doesn't want redemption. I can only lead by example. It has to come from within, but that is a hard place to sit when you are told that your worth is based on what others see on the outside.

Let me paint a picture for you.

Right before you, stands a Castle of Gothic Revival Build. The surrounding stone walls, tall and foreboding and at one time could withstand a winter's wind. Towers that once stood high and proud, keeping watch over its neighborhood.

A beautifully constructed building meant to house the souls of the condemned, sentenced in with no guarantee of ever coming out again. Its beauty, while designed to keep all the ugly locked up inside, was meant to serve as a reminder that if you commit the crime, your soul would be trapped and damned for life.

With time, progression, and damage already done, it seems that its importance has come and gone after 153 years of holding its birthplace. A local landmark given historical status but abandoned and forgotten like yesterday's treasures.

Not much unlike the human body, if it is not maintained with attention and love, it will begin to deteriorate and walls crumble apart, and all that is left is an abandoned piece of art.

The current conditions of this landmark lay heavy on my mind as if the familiar struggle for redemption and revival were the story of my own heart. Could this prison be considered as anything other than hell on earth? A beautiful castle that rivals the salvation of the church.

I may not be able to save the world all at once, but I think I would like to start, one stone at a time and maybe spark some life back into this once beautiful landmark. I believe that with some TLC and a little help from the community, this historical landmark could stand proud and be of service once again!

It is going to take some work to bring about the restoration of this Old Stone Jail but there can't be redemption without action. Sometimes we have to save ourselves and other times, it takes a village and a helping hand.

This is where the story begins.

Until next time,

T. McB