Monday, April 4, 2011

Dear God,

There is much to be said for forgiveness. No one has taught me more about the topic than you. As I have found myself time and again at the base of your cross, bleeding, sorrowing, and feeling guilt, shame, hurt and anger, you spoke to me of the finer points of forgiveness.

You have shown me that forgiveness is the perfect choice over unforgiveness. Through the many experiences of holding on to disappointment, pain, despair and animosity, I picked up other nasty emotions like resentment, bitterness and the desire for revenge. At first, there was a gentle gnawing but later they began to eat away at my soul. Often, sometimes several times a day, I would think about the infraction, the betrayal, abandonment and loneliness and I would feel the pain all over again. Once unforgiveness took hold, you showed me, it not only damaged the good part of human living like hope, peace and joy, it began to destroy the natural abilities of surrender, letting the spirit flow through mind, body and soul, and opting to grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom. Simply, unforgiveness robs the soul of trust that leads to healing, wholeness, love, and grace.

Forgiveness cleanses like nothing else. All the yucky stuff dissolves. The sun begins to shine once again. The senses are renewed allowing the mind to think good thoughts, the body to dance and and the soul to sing.

Forgiveness gives second chances, third, fourth, fifth, etc. New life is made possible. The past is gone and the future is made secure. The present is filled with possibility.

Forgiveness gives new perspective. It helps us to regain strength. We are enabled and equipped to fight the good fight, to look at life from different angles, to make assorted choices, and to laugh again. Because we can see what we could not see before, we are not weighted down and burdened by the past but rather your spirit lifts us up on a mountain of grace.

Forgiveness does not erase the happening that lead us to make our decision not to forgive. Injustice is injustice. Sin is sin. We make mistakes. We get hurt. We hurt others. However, the happening does not have the power to hold us down forever. By your grace we can get up and walk again.

Thank you,
thank you,
thank you
for the
many times
you have
forgiven me.
Thank you
for opportunities
to forgive those
who have
hurt me.
Thank you
for joy
that returns
and peace
that calms.

Forever yours, Andrea