Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Dear God,

In our covenant retreat next week we have decided to look at the Lord's Prayer paying particular attention to forgiveness.  We all agreed it was a good subject to explore and experience.  As I began to consider what I might offer the group in the session I will lead, I picked up the book Forgive for Good, a book I read 14 years ago.  As I reread some of my highlighted lines, I realized I needed a refresher course on forgiveness myself.

Sometimes we are blind to our own ways.  We forge a life without doing daily, weekly, or monthly checks on ourselves asking questions like:  Am I loving?  Am I understanding?  Am I forgiving?  Do I ask for God's guidance?  Do I regularly check in with God to see if I am on God's track rather than my own?  Do I apologize to others for my mistakes?  Do I please God?  If we honestly reflect upon our own ways, you will lead us to the truth that will set us free.

This morning you alerted me to my own attitudes and behaviors.  You urged me to take another look at myself.  Your loving compassion set me on the judgment seat and helped me see the truth.  Now, I have to go about my work to earn the freedom that comes with truth.

Blessed God,
thank you
for challenges
that work
on our
rough edges.
Help us become
lovers of God
who seek you
every day
in every situation.
Thank you
for today's word.
I am grateful.

Love, Andrea