Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a journey of the heart. We don't reach our destination in one giant stride, by somehow willing ourselves there. Rather, we make a humble beginning, setting the compass of our soul in the direction of forgiveness.

We don't forgive in order to be generous to the person who offended us. We don't forgive because it's the "right" thing to do. We forgive in order to set things right within our own heart. Holding a grudge holds us prisoner to the past. Forgiveness frees us to accept the injustices of life and then move on.

From "Finding the Serenity of Acceptance by Lisa O. Engelhardt

God with you

Yesterday I was was privileged to witness an often unrecognized portion of God's love. The first was in an emergency room, visiting a friend. In the bed next to her, behind the curtain, I was drawn by the sound of tears. While my friend was taken briefly out of the room, I gently stepped around the curtain to ask if I could offer a hug. My offer was welcomed. As I bent down to embrace the most beautiful sister, she grabbed my neck and said, "I just lost my baby".

The shock and saddness flung open the flood gates of my own tears. She touched a familiar place in my heart. From the place which has been healed and is now whole inside of me, I asked her if I could pray with her and she again graciously accepted. We both felt the presence of God and His healing love envelope us.

A short while later, I could hear from my friend's side of the curtain, a doctor saying that although the bleeding had occured and no heart beat was detected, they had to presume the baby "demised", but recommended another ultrasound in 1 week, since it is at 8 weeks that a heart beat is usually detected. This sister's baby was only 7 weeks old. Just before she was released to go home, she asked me to pray with her again, because she had " a tiny bit of hope". I reminded her that God is the God of the impossible and His Word said that He can do a big things with tiny mustard seed faith. I prayed that whatever His plan, that He would give my beautiful sister the courage, strength and peace to trust Him and experience His love in a very personal way.


Later that evening, I recieved an update about another sister, across the country, who we had been praying for, her baby being in distress as they worked to stabilize and keep the baby in the womb to develope more. The email stated that this sister had delivered a beautiful baby boy who was now with our Father in Heaven. The mom was "stable" but continued prayer for she and her husband are desired.

What do you say in situations like these? How are you suppose to feel?

The answer is: You are suppose to feel what you feel. You are suppose to say what you know. If you hurt - cry. If you are angry - say so. And then climb or crawl, if you must, back to the center of your foundation, remembering what it is that you know, that you know, that you know... God is with you, regardless.. no matter the circumstances or the situation. His Word is true and His love is proven.

Be encourged by this piece I just discovered by an anointed sister:

GOD WITH YOU

As surely as you are alive,

God is with you

- right here, right now.

Your heart beats

with the pulse of Love.

Your spirit moves

with the breath of Life.

You need never be afraid, then,

of the depths of despair.

If you go over the edge,

you land in the waiting arms of Love.

God will catch you and bind your wounds,

singing to you all the while

a lullaby of love.

by Lisa O. Engelhardt

from the book "Finding the Serenity of Acceptance".

One Caring Place

Abbey Press

ISBN 0-87029-277-3

Be In Courage!!

Laugh Out Loud

The more intense the challenge,

The more intense the need for laughter.

Laugh.... and then Laugh some more.

Need inspiration: go look in the mirror!

LOL!!!!

Be in Courage!