"Chains shall He break..."

Every Tuesday, I have the privilege of volunteering at a homeless ministry at a local church, and, yesterday, I met a woman who had just been released from jail that very morning and needed help getting a replacement ID (that's what I help with each week). As I was filling out her forms, she noticed my Linked Horn (Noonday Collection) bracelet and commented on how much she liked it. I smiled, thanked her and kept working on the ID.


I knew right away that I was supposed to give it to her, but I waited until a little while later while she was sitting at a table, eating, to do it. I briefly told her that I hoped that she would look at it and remember that God was always close and that she could talk to Him at anytime. She had NOTHING except the clothes on her back and did not know where she would sleep that night, so I knew my offer of a bracelet was pretty feeble, but I hugged her and she thanked me, nonetheless. 

About an hour later, as I was driving home, I saw her walking down the street, and she was looking down at her bracelet and touching it with her opposite hand. I don't do this often, but I felt that God had orchestrated our meeting, so I asked her if she wanted a ride to the DMV. As she got in the car, she smiled and said, "I was just looking at this bracelet and thinking about how it reminds me that I don't have to live in chains anymore. I can be free." 

Y'all! My heart! Through many tears, I said, "YES! That is so true. Because of Jesus, none of us have to live in chains." Needless to say, I was a weepy mess as I drove her and talked with her and prayed with her. 

There is so much more to this story, and we were able to get her some clothes and find her a place to stay for the next 6 months! Praise Him! But, I had just been talking that morning about how I was having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit (probably because I live in FL and it's 89 degrees here). But, God used this new friend, and a bracelet to remind me that Jesus is the Spirit of Christmas. Not a tree. Not cold weather. Not my favorite Christmas music. And, I wanted to share it with you in case you are in a similar place, or in case you need a reminder that we don't have to live in chains. He came to give us hope and to set us free. 

In case you are wondering, I will repurchase the bracelet, but not just because I think it's fantastic. I will purchase it, again, because I never want to forget. Thank you, Lord, for using a bracelet to remind me...

"Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother and in His name all oppression shall cease."