Today, a dear friend told me that she feels “broken beyond repair.” From hundreds of miles away, I felt the ricochet of those brutal words. Granted, she’s endured traumas that not many could survive. But I know her better than most, and not only is she a far cry from broken beyond repair, she spends much of her time trying to find ways to uplift others who feel broken themselves.

I’ve been thinking about her words all day, and the oddest quote kept coming to me. It’s my favorite quote from Harriet Tubman, “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

Harriet’s words seemed utterly detached from my friend’s, yet my mind kept piecing them together. Then, I began to consider Harriet’s message. I could imagine how hearing the dogs, seeing the torches, and being within earshot of the shouts could arouse an arresting dread and unshakeable sense of finality. I’m sure that the enemy seemed so close while freedom felt impossibly far.

However, Harriet understood that the sights, sounds, and fear mean nothing as long as you never stop!

There’ll be days when the barking and shouting will drown out the whisper of hope within. But the very act of movement means that you haven’t been destroyed! It means that freedom, healing, fulfillment, peace, joy, whatever you’re after, is still within reach! keep going… Keep Going… KEEP GOING.