Lucky 13... Forgive and Forget!

This year, the 13th year of the century... as well as the Millenium... is a special year. We each get the opportunity to start over and make life more meaningful not only for ourselves, but for others. Often, starting over means "forgiving." Sometimes, it even means "forgetting." Here's to our individual efforts to do a better job at both.

Forgiving someone who has wronged us is not so easy. However, it is ultimately healing and the only way to move on from the hurt or injustice that has been done to us.

This goes for any type of injustice we have incurred: physical, emotional,or verbal. I am convinced of that fact; I also practice it. We are always hurt, but it need not prevail in our current lives.

If we dwell on what has been done “to us” rather than what we “do for ourselves” we are powerless and don’t heal from the inside out. Rather, we are merely putting a scab on a wound that might at any time be ripped open. This is not in any way suggesting that we continue to keep the offender(s) in our day to day life, but rather distance ourselves with a quiet dignity.

If it is meant to be, in time...a relationship might take place, but only if the "offender" has been rehabilitated. Again, this goes for all types of abuse and all personal injuries that are done "to" us.

BUT... I can not say it often enough:
WE ARE NOT PRODUCTS OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO US…RATHER WE ARE PRODUCTS OF WHAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO DO FOR OURSELVES.

God is merciful; let us practice that as well. Sue