ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 31, 2022
This will be my third Etching on forgiveness as we approach the end of the year. This one is simple: Before entering the new year, forgive yourself. This is often the most challenging, and it can sometimes stand in the way of you forgiving someone else. I started looking around to see who had something insightful to say on the subject, and as you might guess, there is a plethora of fabulous revelatory wisdom. I don’t know if I chose the best, but Marianne Williamson’s simple words really spoke to me today. She wrote,
“The past doesn’t determine your future unless you carry it with you into the present.”
There are many things from your past that you want to carry into the present—memories and experiences that help define the best part of you. Unresolved guilt and lingering remorse are never conducive to health and happiness. Being able to say to yourself, “I screwed up, and because I have acknowledged it, I will learn from it and be a better person because of it. Forgiveness is my way forward.” Remember, you deserve to give yourself the same grace that God gives in abundance. It might take more than one try, and there might be a bit of useful contrition required to make amends, but moving forward toward a more abundant life is God’s desire for your life.
As I allow for your gracious mercy to spill over me, O God, I seek the strength to be just as kind to myself. Amen.
1 thought on “12-31-22”
Bruce,
Well said. I particularly likes the quote, To which I would add, memories are what made you, you. Things from the past. Dreams are what you can become. Dare to dream BIG!
Bob Aghamalian 281-467-6377 (C) bobaghamalian@hotmail.combobaghamalian@hotmail.com