Someone Wrote Something Really Unkind About Me!

11-27am

Today, I’m off to see Granny, but I’m going later because Riana is coming with me. So I’m doing all the afternoon stuff this morning and the visit this afternoon. Hence the early blog, which is being done over a home-cooked brunch, which looks like this…

I also have a massive mug of tea which allows for a cappuccino later when Riana and I pop into the Sweet Plum Cafe after visiting Granny.

I have something on my mind, which I want to journal about so that I have a record of this amazing event that took place a week ago.  Many years ago, someone wrote something really unkind about me. It was judgmental and uncalled for. I found out about it, ignored it. They knew I had found out about it, ignored it as well. There was never an apology and life continued. I never forgot it and was always wary of the person. When someone quite close to me had a lot to do with this person, I cautioned them. I didn’t want them to be ‘bitten!’ They reprimanded me saying I must move on and forget it ever happened…after all it was a long time ago. They were right. I was wrong. So I moved on. And then  we both got stabbed in the back!! That’s the short story! Now a year has passed and, like a bad recipe, I find myself with a dash of resentment towards this person. There is a good pinch of anger and sprinkling of bitterness. Of course, the person doesn’t know it. I’m the one that is suffering with these toxic ingredients flowing through my brain.

A week ago, on Sunday evening (3rd March), I was doing my Bible reading in Mark 11. I got to verse 24 which says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I thought about it for a few minutes, pondering in my mind how I should be praying about this person and how I was feeling about them. Then I read the next verse which was a bit of an ‘ouch’ moment: 25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Ouch ! Ouch! There was no other way. I had to forgive. I had to completely forgive. So I looked up what that meant. What does it mean to forgive someone? I found this amazingly insightful article published by Focus on the Family and aimed at people who had been through a divorce and needed to forgive their spouse. I am blessed to not be in that situation, but I am sure many are. I read the article and got a good deal of insight as to what ‘forgiveness’ looks like. Here is the link:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/forgiveness_and_restoration.aspx

BUT, the most amazing thing was still to come. The next day, I got up early, with all these thoughts fresh on my mind.  I laid down the bitterness. I laid down resentment. I laid down the anger. I took up determination to be joyful. I took up determination to leave it in God’s hands. I took up an amazing dose of freedom and lightness. I was at peace. Got to work. Presented Rise and Shine. I did not say a SINGLE thing about forgiveness on the air. Nothing! And this is what I received, completely unsolicited from someone I have never met…an SMS …

Isn’t that amazing! It was as if Garry was party to my Bible study on forgiveness and he was giving his input! God is amazing! He wants us to live a life of freedom and forgiveness.  To be forgiven, we HAVE to forgive. I didn’t go to the person and tell them I have forgiven them. No no – that’s not necessary. I just let it go. I’m free. You can be too.

Don’t wait another day.

God bless you and have a fabulous afternoon!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂