Forgive and Forget

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Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below (http://www.lyricstime.com/hymn-be-still-my-soul-lyrics.html)

(from https://www.facebook.com/MovingTheShineInDarkPlaces posted Aug 16, 2013)

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. (NIV) Galatians 5:7-9 Press on to take hold of that for which He called you. Forget what is behind; instead, strain for what lies ahead, for that is the goal to which He calls you. (Paraphrase) Philippians 3:12-13 Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive, as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (NIV) Colossians 3:12-14

Theres something Im learning: in the call to forgive and forget, forgiveness can be the easier part. Each of us is human after all. When we learn to accept that we share all-too-human traits envy, insecurity, rage, sorrow, loneliness, egoism, hedonism, fear - we can start to see beyond the words and actions of ourselves and others and begin to commiserate, empathize, connect through the layers, and feel compassion. Once in this space, we can let it all simply be. Forgiveness is no longer the issue; theres nothing to forgive if the words and actions have simply blown through. It hasnt been easy getting to this point. But there is peace here: peace that comes when there is no longer injury, but simple recognition and acceptance of this part of being human. Like the leaves and branches that react and respond to the airs surrounding them, we too will sway, ripple and reverberate in the gentle breezes, and smash furiously with the stormy winds. We may emerge tattered, with visible scars of the tempests engulfing us, but largely, we remain connected to the whole. The purpose. The goal. We need to see that integral strength that inner character that makes this recovery possible. Thats when we can gather strength to once again appreciate the gentle breezes that far outweigh the tempests. Thats when we can press on, straining for what lies ahead a little tender from the experience of it all but what better fertile soil for the tender growth of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience? So then, if forgiveness is the easier part, its forgetting that can be so hard and toxic. Until we stop replaying that incessant feedback loop whether it be positive or negative we will never learn from our experiences and grow. I think thats the challenge of living in the moment. Simply letting it be, if we cannot let it go. And learning to live through the lens of love, acceptance, unity. with those in our midst who make it difficult, and those who partner with us in soldiering on. What this looks like is different for every person; but Christian principles must in some way be translated into human life and that it is in the sphere of the material, in state and society, that responsible love has to be manifested. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from The Cost of Discipleship, p30). When we can forgive others, when we can simply be and accept, and when we can learn to love, to be gentle, humble, compassionate and patient, then we can be at peace, and be open to the part we are being asked to play. I love how Bonhoeffer refines this: It all depends on whether or not the fragment of our life reveals the plan and material of the whole. There are fragments which are only good to be thrown away, and others which are important for centuries to come because their fulfillment can only be a divine work. They are fragments of necessity. If our life, however remotely, reflects such a

fragment we shall not have to bewail our fragmentary life, but on the contrary, rejoice in it. (The Cost of Discipleship, p33). To me, this encapsulates the forgive-and-forget journey: there are fragments in our life that will simply be thrown away. So then all the more reason to simply let them be; let them move through you as you simply move beyond them. But there will also be moments telling moments - when our life will reflect a greater purpose of a divine nature. To me, this is the call to be gentle, humble, kind, compassionate, patient, and above all else, to love others and yourself. And in this way, I believe we will be open to those fragments of necessity that will be important for centuries to come because of the lasting impact they will have on ourselves, and on others. And if our life, however remotely, reflects such a fragment, how c an we not then rejoice, and be at peace? Blessings to you, to me, in our respective journeys ahead.

(from https://www.facebook.com/MovingTheShineInDarkPlaces posted Aug 16, 2013)

Words I Would Say, by Sidewalk Prophets Clicking on the picture will take you to the youtube link.