Love One Another

Photo courtesy of Joshua Burgard

Today, I saw a woman tearfully speak words of love and forgiveness for those who shot her husband while he was jogging on the CBS morning news. Then, just now, on face book a post instructed people in recovery to forgive before they pray ( Recovery Now TV accessed 12/19/13 at https://www.facebook.com/). I usually have to pray, and sometimes pray for a long time, before I am able to forgive. Maybe I am a hard-core "grudge carrier." I hope not.

These two isolated but connected incidences got me to thinking about forgiveness and how my relationship with the concept has changed through the years. When I was young and didn't know any better, I just thought it was something you said and the "hurtful situation" would just magically disappear. Then I learned later true forgiveness comes from the heart, is not the same as forgetting, and is sometimes very difficult to accomplish.

If I realize I am forgiving the person and not implying that what that person did was an okay thing to do, it is easier for me to forgive. I will probably always remember the behavior in a negative way, but I can still have compassion and perhaps even a bit of understanding for the human being I am trying to forgive.

What I saw on this morning's newscast was very moving. You could hear the tears, the hesitation, the grief-----and the honesty in the woman's voice when she talked about grieving the loss of her husband and the life they would have spent together. She briefly hesitated and then told whoever her husband's killers were that she loved them and forgave them for killing him. She spoke from the heart, and I was, and am, astounded at the strength and love she communicated. I do not think I have ever seen anyone say anything during an interview that immediately communicated the love of Christ and the love we should have for each other, no matter what, like this woman's actions did this morning.

What I saw and heard this morning will provide an exceptional spiritual role model for me when it comes to forgiving myself and others.....if I let it. I have to come to believe there is both good and evil in every human being, including myself. What I saw this morning represented, to me, the good I might someday be capable of if I continue to try to live a spiritual life.

I hope you are enjoying today, and that wherever you are, you can take a moment to take a deep breath, relax, and feel God with you. May God bless and keep you.

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