410 DAYS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20100923/US.Iran.US.Hikers/

TODAY'S HOT TOPIC- 410 Days in Solitary Confinement- Sarah Shourd's Story
**DREAM**

So here is a story that in my opinion is nothiing short of a dream come true. So that is why I labeled it such. Can you imagine you go out for a morning hike and you end up spending 410 days in solitary confinement? Well that of course is the story that Sarah Shourd tells in the article above. It is a story of courage, hope, and if I had to sum it up, clearly a miracle no doubt.

We have the reality shows like Survivor, the Amazing Race, etc. but what happens when something of this magnitude becomes a part of your everyday existence and it's no longer about a prize to be won at the end of the day or about hours and hours of television exposure. What happens when it becomes the norm? Though nothing in her story indicates a divine connection, clearly in my opinion  God was on her side. She made it out alive! Most of us on some level I think have incorporated  the "American Dream" into our vision of success. I'd imagine that your perspective changes a bit when your life is turned upside down like Sarah Shourd's was.

The other thing I wanted to point out is the fact that the 410 days of solitary confinement that she faced was only a glimpse of what others face all around the world from day to day. We take so much for granted in our culture. Yes this story had a happy ending thank God it did. But there are so many others who face captivity day in and day out. Our thoughts & prayers need to be re-directed to those individiuals not on which new car or house we're going to purchase. It's stories like Sarah Shourd's that I believe help to re-align our focus in life so that we can begin to put our thoughts on things that really matter.

Sarah Shourd is clearly a blessed woman and I'm sure she thanks God daily for her freedom. In your freedom today my fellow friends let us not forget those who live in captivity everyday of their lives whether it be physically or mentally. Her story is clearly one to remember, but there are so many other voices that may never be heard. It is our responsibility to help free the captives! Here is a scripture that I hope brings my point home.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor

Isaiah 61:1-3


Blessings~

Lolita Buck
Christian Writer
"Bringing Words to Life, While Bringing Glory & Honor to God's Name"
http://www.lolitabuck.com/