Ocean of Mistakes

<p>Ayesha, you are under arrest for violating the curfew,” the words echo inside. “Tomorrow you are sentenced to the Ocean of Mistakes.” "God, please save me," I pray. I’ve been pleading all night in my prison cell. "I know I’ve failed. Please forgive me."</p><p>.</p><p>Sunrise peeps through the window. CLANG. The door opens. My jailers clamp chains around my hands. The rule book is clipped to my clothes. Silence.</p><p>.</p><p>They drag me, throwing me into an open top truck as an example for all to see, a warning for others to avoid making the same mistake. Screaming and crying rings in my ears, and with horror I realize they are my own tortured screams. “I can’t take any more,” I sob as the truck bounces along the uneven track to the sandy beach. “I tried to follow your rules and regulations. I can’t be perfect.” Silence.</p><p>.</p><p>The truck stops with a screech. I’m carried onto the speed boat. Mouth dry, bile burns inside of me until we reach the ebony part of the ocean. Hands grip mine. I taste salt and fear. Struggling, fighting to stay on the boat until weakness takes over. My body is thrown overboard. Icy water prickles my skin. Gasping, flailing, tears pour down my face, the chains and the rule book drag me down. The boat speeds off in the distance, a tiny speck. Here, then gone.</p><p>.</p><p>“Ayesha, don’t try to swim,” calls a voice. "Am I hallucinating?" I wonder, choking on the water. Suddenly the waves stop; a shining figure on the water glides toward me. “Stay calm.”</p><p>.</p><p>“Jesus?” I whisper. “Jesus?”</p><p>.</p><p>“Ayesha, I love you more than your mistakes,” He says, love in His eyes, His words breaking my chains. “I heard your prayers. I forgive you. This is a fresh start. Leave your old life behind. Follow me.” His words of love shred the pages of the rule book until it disappears. Reaching out to me, He grasps my hand. He leads me, and I follow Him to a fresh start and a new life. • Cindy Lee</p><p>.</p><p>• Have you ever felt like you were drowning in guilt—pulled down by the we