Unchain Us, Please

Objective: Write a story that includes, at some point, the sentence, "I did what I had to do."

Regrets? I have many, of course. But I have no time to feel indebted to them...the regrets. They can be quite demanding of a person's soul and purpose, after all. I don't mind paying my dues, but I won't be cheated out of living. I simply won't allow that.

And some people get outraged because of the audacity I have to continue on. I suppose they would be happy if I wallowed in a tangled wad of woe. Some don't want an apology...they just want to see you eternally punished, imprisoned in a tomb of remorse. Don't come at me with that! I don't play that game.

I will feel remorse and offer a sincere heart of repentance. My mistakes and choices never came from any malice. But once I have extended my heart and faced the fact that I have had some degree of responsibility in your discontent, don't expect me to allow you to dwell there and take me down. That wouldn't be healthy for either of us. Please don't use me as a crutch.

I do want your forgiveness. I do value you. I wish I had not harmed your feelings, heart, or your soul. All I can promise you is to not repeat whatever it is that I did or did not do. I mostly want your forgiveness so that you can heal. Seeing you wounded or feeling betrayed has already killed part of me. I am trying to heal, as well.

Life and relationships don't come with guarantees, though. I've never been good at chess. Sometimes, I don't know the hidden snares behind the "next moves" I've taken in life. I just did what I had to do. Regretfully, those moves have hurt you. I wish that I had swallowed that poison and not you...or at least realized that you had been exposed to the vileness it brought. My sin and your collateral damage. And now, the moves have almost played out for us. Is it too late? I hope not, I really hope not!

But do what you need to do, what you have to do...just as I did. But have more insight from the lack of mine. May your regrets be forgiven, though.