11.6.13 Forgiveness does not mean forgetting

Bountiful Blessings

November 6, 2013

 

Yes, I have been slacking. It is the middle of the week instead of Sunday. I had decided to just not do one this week but then I realized that I will be on vacation this coming week. Now, I know that all of you would like a break from me but I figured that giving you two weeks might be too much. You might enjoy it a little too much. J We can’t have that, now can we?

So… then I thought, what do I want to say this week? That, my dear, was easy. With Thanksgiving approaching rather quickly, we give praise for all the things that we are thankful for, correct? Well, let me share something I read about the holiday. “Someone once said in the dictionary, the word hospitality falls some place between hospital and hostel. One, a place of healing and the other a place of refuge. That’s really all anyone wants when they should up at our doorstep. They want to feel whole, and they want to feel safe. And that, my friends, has nothing to do with the turkey.” Nice, isn’t it? Really puts it into perspective.

Feeling whole and safe. Well, this past week, I was holding a teeny tiny grudge against someone. (Yea, right, teeny tiny). I was hurting myself, disappointing God, and if she knew, disappointing my mother. And I certainly wasn’t doing service to the person. I made myself, and them, less than whole, less than safe. I took away the healing and the refuge. I know. You are thinking that I am full of myself to think I have that much power. But see, it is not about power. I don’t really know how to explain it so I am hoping that you simply grasp it. My grudge, my anger and I dare say it, my hatred, made me less of a person. I was raised better than that. I was taught that you don’t hate anyone. You show respect. You always treat people kindly. But in my childlike temper tantrum, I rationalize that “why should I? they don’t do the same for me.” Oh, my darling mother would have a field day with that one. So I did what I knew was right but didn’t really want to do. I forgave. It was like throwing off a rock blanket from my shoulders. All my burdens were lighter. The big empty spot inside of me became whole again. The fear, the worry – it left and I felt safe. And you know what, the person and I made up. We were both wrong. Hmph, imagine that.

 So this Thanksgiving, take a moment to reconnect with someone who is lost, afraid or incomplete. Offer them “hospitality”. And if you have someone in your life or in your past that you haven’t forgiven, I encourage you to do so. You don’t have to track them down to tell them. Forgive them in your heart. You would be amazed at the healing in your own heart.

Quote for the week:

“Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, nor does it mean that you've given the message that what someone did was okay. It just means that you've let go of the anger or guilt towards someone, or towards yourself. But that can be easier said than done. If forgiveness was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

Bible verse for the week:

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Bible fun for the week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So my friends (and those of you who just tolerate me), I will talk with you again in a couple of weeks. Until then, have fun… stay safe…. and know that I care.

 God bless you and keep you!
Terri