Forgiveness is the ultimate victory

When I look back at all the nonsense surrounding my parents and this disastrous falling out, the end of our "family" as we have known it to be, I want to be seen as one who forgave.

Scratch that; I want to forgive, regardless of whether my family admits or ignores my attempts.

I have more than enough anger for them, more than enough bitterness to despise them long after they sleep in dirt and mud. I have rage enough to shred the memory of them from my tattered mind and fury enough to burn them out of my ravaged soul.

There are days I would rather boil myself alive and scream in pain then admit or give them any credence or credit.

The truth is, they are my parents, and I must forgive them out of love. All people deserve basic respect and love, and through that love recognition of the mighty crosses they bear.

Everyone carries crosses they feel too much to bear. Our job is to look past our faults and love and forgive anyway.

Ezekiel, 17: 61-63 emphasizes the importance of this:

For thus speaks the Lord God: I will deal with you according to what you have done, you who despised your oath, breaking a covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl, and I will set up an everlasting covenant with you. Then you shall remember your conduct and be ashamed when I take your sisters, those older and younger than you, and give them to you as daughters, even though I am not bound by my covenant with you. For I will re-establish my covenant with you, that you may know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord God.

I believe the real meaning of forgiveness is in that passage, and we can grasp that essence and make it our own when we look past all that someone has done to us and forgive them anyway. That takes true strength. That takes true mercy. That is true love. And those forgiven may look at us in a stupor of bewilderment and confusion, but they will know that we had grace enough to forgive, and that is a grand reward indeed!

~~

Today's One Minute Meditation and word of the day are from MyCatholic.com

Humility
"I am still a poor creature", you tell me.

But once, when you realised it, you felt very bad about it! Now, without getting used to it or giving in to it, you are starting to make a habit of smiling, and of beginning your fight again with growing joy.

~~  

Mimicry (noun)
imitation, aping  

~~  

Please note that Courage has a map for you to sign! You can also read this journal at its blogger.com home, if you prefer. That site features a feedblitz subscription field, if you prefer to read via that medium.   Also, if you have a quote, or a favorite saying or passage from a book or scholarly text that you wish to share for the Wednesday Reflection, please feel free to email me.