Is not a magic trick

It is more like an elaborate bath

That takes place repeatedly

Time and again

Taking steps towards redemption

Learning over and over

That self-salvation

Is no salvation at all

And that the best parts of our existence

Are gifts from a gracious God.

Pushing down the urges towards

Self destruction

Reminding ourselves

Why we no longer

Do the things we used to do,

Why our feet walk paths

Of righteousness

Why the promises of compromise

Are always false

Always empty

Always less than

Advertised.

Walking away

From who we once were

Is not a denial of our past,

A grand sweeping under the rug-

But rather a resolve

To make better decisions

One step at a time.