I grew up being the oddball, labeled a “black sheep.”  I used to think the term was racist until I realized there are black sheep of all colors.  But any way you color it, all I could come to terms with was that I rarely fit in.  Anywhere.

So, I made a decision.  Instead of trying to trim my edges to fit everyone else’s box, I became an all around do-what-I-want, nobody-tells-me type.  Box the world, don’t box me.  On the outside I made it look good, continued to walk like I talked, but on the inside it all felt wrong.  

Fast forward a few years, ‘cause that’s really how time flies, I found my way to a place where it was easy to be that way…  you know the rest.  The state penitentiary was merciless and very unkind to me, a vicious cycle at best.  Yet this is the one place that openly received me, though I rightfully earned my ten years in captivity.  I made a commitment though – I was not leaving the way I came in.  

Time settled as it does, and then the day arrived.  My eyes saw the heavens open up, and in my pain and tears, I asked God to help me change.  In that moment, I felt relief.  As I spoke the name of Jesus that day, comfort filled my heart.  

I sensed my brand new start in that moment.  As I prayed and smiled, I was reminded that God sent someone before me who was rejected, someone who could help me learn how to live.  He set me apart long ago, and only now do I realize I am who and where I’ve always belonged, in the loving arms of the biggest one ever rejected.

ABOUT THE WRITER. Talena Banks is new to the WITS family, and fairly new to creative writing, but you wouldn’t know it. Faith is often overlooked in writing spaces, though it is a source of strength for so many. I hope this writer shares more with us.

Talena Banks can be contacted at:
Talena Banks #1177254
4370 Smiley Road
Las Vegas, NV 89115