Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
-Mark Twain
Two years post divorce from my ex husband FP, despite all the healing that had come, I knew that God expected forgiveness before I would be free. I approached forgiveness like I approach most issues. I read everything I could get my hands on, including the Bible and secular self -help books. I conjured up all my inner fortitude and determined I would get the job done.
Nothing remotely close to forgiveness filled my heart. I still wanted accountability most of all, and then justice, as I defined it.I finally realized God would have to make forgiveness happen. I started to pray continuously for forgiveness to take hold, admitting in my prayers that I didn’t feel like forgiving my ex husband.
Surprisingly, in response to months of prayer, God’s response was that my first step was to ask others to forgive ME. The lawyer in me started to argue the facts, proving beyond a reasonable doubt why my ex and others in our story should be asking for MY forgiveness. By then I had learned if I was obedient to God it ALWAYS worked out. So I surrendered and followed instructions. Continue reading