I do not desire to forget, I desire for God. Had I not gone through tragedy, by my own doing, I would not be where I am today: broken but open. I would take back only one thing from my past, and that is the life that was taken due to my irresponsible decision to drink and drive—all else would remain. But sadly, even a life lost has been the means necessary for the pain that deeply motivates me. Please do not hear what I have not said, but what I mean is this: “We cannot take things back, but we can choose on how we look back.”I recall emphatically that one of the common beliefs of an inmate was that upon one’s release to never look back. “Forget this place and the reason you are here,” many would exclaim. Nobody wanted to be there longer than they had to, but I learned to view prison as peace and tragedy as treasure. I will not forget, for God has allowed me to pass through both in order to save my life. I will not forget what motivates me, for God is behind everything that happens in life—both trials and triumphs.

I look back now with perfect hindsight, and I realize the encasement of God’s grace would not allow my situation to just be a bad happening for me, but it was God’s best plan for me. That’s the difference between being imprisoned by problems and Imprisoned by Peace.Therefore, I will never forget the place of prison or what I did to get there—not to dwell on them, but to use them for what God wants done. As A.W. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether God can use a man greatly until He hurts him deeply.”Now I know that I had to be broken deeply in order to be used greatly. For God has chosen me in spite of my sin and in spite of where I’ve been, and that is why I will not forget! I was right where I needed to be, and it was God’s best plan for me. I cannot forget a single thing of my ugliness, for God uses everything to make beauty.Forget the pain? Nope. Forget the family? Nope. Forget the path? Nope. Forget the environment? Nope. Forget the ignorance? Nope. Forget what I have done? Nope, for God knows I am deserving of only one thing: to be right where He wants me to be.“For God works all things together for good”(Romans 8:28)—even our ugly past!I am certainly ashamed for what I have done, but God uses our shame to glorify His grace. I will forget the common belief to FORGET, because though I may not have chosen this plan and path for myself, it is FOR GOD to use as He pleases. I must always remember and while many may not see it this way, this is my View Apart for God knows the issues of my heart.