Bracelet
by Tanner Olson
writtentospeak.com

I become a new person when I wear a hat.
I am confident.
The same is true with bracelets.
One July a camper made me 6 bracelets.
She twisted and tied the colors of the rainbow together before presenting them to me..
Every bracelet was different, but each one was beautiful.
She tied it around my wrist and said “there!” and there it was.
I shook my arm and the bracelets danced up and down my arm like they were free even though they were wrapped around me.
I felt safe with those bracelets on.
Someone had seen me and loved me and chosen me for her gift.
Even if it was a 7 year-old girl who knew me as her camp counselor.
I wore them proudly.
The same way a parent proudly displays their children’s artwork on the fridge even though we all know it’s not beautiful.
But these bracelets were beautiful.
They were a masterpiece.
I didn’t take them off.
They fell off one at a time, slowly draining away my confidence.
This morning I took a shower and as the water splashed over me I remembered my baptism.
Sometimes I forget that I am baptized.
Sometimes I forget that I am a chosen child of God.
Sometimes I forget that I am redeemed and forgiven.
Sometimes I forget that I am seen and loved and all the things I have ever wanted to be.
Sometimes I forget that I can be confident because of Whose I am, not because of who I am.

With hope,

Tanner Olson
@writtentospeak

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.

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