To Break a Chain

it ran in my family until it ran into Him

The rage builds red,

churning hot;

the mirror holds the face of his father.

Fists clenched, he closes his eyes and

exchanges seething for strength.

The blonde boy, the one always with him,

sees the surrender,

and another link

is broken.

---

The day goes down

a thrashing wreck,

the plan neither peace nor perfection.

Heart benched, she closes her eyes and

exchanges screaming for strength.

The dark-eyed girl, the one in the car seat,

hears the “Help me,”

and another link

is broken.

---

The dawn comes early,

casting beams

across the pages lying marked and messy.

Undressed, she closes her eyes and

exchanges insecurity for strength.

The little ones, the ones always watching,

feel the faith here

and another link

is broken.

---

This enslaving anger

guilt and unfaithfulness,

cynicism

criticism

condescension

contempt—

link by link drop powerless as children choose

faith and hope,

love and peace,

restraint and grace.

And after days of this choosing

become years of the same,

the grandchildren no longer know

the slavery of their forefathers

because someone loved them…

enough to break the chain.

To Break a Chain, PDM

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This poem was written in 2021 as I reflected on the legacy of my parents, who broke chains on both sides of the family to raise me in the truth. Josh and I now build on what they did, expanding and tending and breaking other chains. My goal with this poem was to show how each small decision, each family devotion, each choice to walk by faith in self-control leads to a redeemed family line. It’s not one big transformation; it’s a thousand daily surrenders.