Forgive them

This one is hard for me lately.  There is a part of my heart that does not want to forgive.  That part of me that is so tired of the drama and the fight and the wrongness of what others have done.  That part of me that wants to cry out, "this isn't fair!".  That is the part of my spirit that does not want to forgive.  It is the part that does not want to let go.  It is the part that wants to see Karma hard at work.  It is the unrighteous and impure part of my soul.  It is the small mindedness of revenge.
It is true that it steals your well-being.  I think that I haven't been well since the mess began.  I know that I am only hurting myself and I know that I can't change those who don't want to be changed.
I can't, but I know also that God can.  I know that only He can soften hearts.  I know that only He has the power to heal the aching.  I know that bruises fade, both on the inside and the out. 
Some people wonder how to forgive the bigger hurts.  I say, the only thing that has ever worked for me is prayer.  Pray for those who are lashing out.  Pray for those who hurt you, either accidently or even on purpose.  Pray for those who have left bruises and brokenness behind.  Pray for those who are vindictive and angry.  Pray for those who have wronged you.  Pray for them.  Pray for yourself. 
I have discovered as I continue to pray, even when it is hard, that my own heart is softened and it is easier to forgive.  It is easier to let it go.  It is easier to trust in God's justice and mercy.  As I pray, and I struggle and I overcome, I find myself letting go of the burden of hate and anger.  I find myself forgiving the offense.  I find my own heart is unburdened, my own sins are forgiven and my own soul is cleansed.  I find myself wrapped in the arms of His mercy and grace. 

Becoming Like Him - Day 9 - Join

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

It takes nothing to join the crowd. 

It takes everything to stand alone.

START

When I was young, I wanted so much to be like everyone else.  Especially because I was never a part of the crowd.  I thought I wanted to be, I even tried to join them once or twice, but the things they were doing just weren't the things that I felt right about.  I had to make a stand, and I must admit, it was sometimes a lonely one.  It didn't help that I wasn't much of a leader.  I was someone who would much rather follow.  It was safer that way and didn't make people call me names.  The problem was, that they did not like the things I was doing (I suppose they weren't fun), and I didn't like the choices they were making.  

I walked to class alone.  I worked on my grades.  I wished for friends.  Then something rather miraculous happened.  I found a group with the same standards as I lived.  I learned to get along in a group setting.  I still wasn't comfortable being the one that came up with the ideas, but I was happy to be included.  

As I have gotten older, I have learned more about myself.  I am not someone who makes friends easily.  I do however, make friends that last a lifetime.  I have learned that I don't need to join a group just to join.  I make friends that have the same interests and love of ideas that I do.  We walk together, we talk together, we are there for each other.  The best part is that I no longer have to stand alone.  The more I work at becoming like Him, the more I find people who need me.  The more I am like Him, the happier I am.  

As time passes, I realize that I have never had to stand alone.  He was always, always by my side and that makes me part of His crowd.  That is enough.

STOP

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Much more gently

"If we could look into each others heart's and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care."

Marvin J. Ashton 

1 Peter 4:8-10

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.