Forgiveness

What I am about to share is a little hard and humbling.  The reason I'm sharing is because several weeks ago I asked you to pray with me regarding an issue my family was facing that felt very much like David going up against Goliath.  Your prayers worked, but not in the way I was hoping or expecting.  The following paragraph is taken from my personal family blog...

 

God has taught me what it means to forgive. I know over the years there have been people who have offended me, but not to the extent I've experienced over the past five months. In May, my daughter was the victim of a great injustice. It didn't have to grow as big as it did, but the offender chose a path that was wrought with frustration and heartache for me, her mom. As months went by and accusations made, my mama bear heart took over and all I could see was seeking justice at all costs! I thought I was doing the right thing. I had constructed a letter making an appeal to the appropriate officials and was literally driving to the post office to mail the letter. As I was driving, listening to the radio broadcast Revive Our Hearts, the speaker, Nancy Leigh DeMoss was talking about forgiveness. I only heard about 10 minutes of her message, but in those few minutes I clearly heard the Holy Spirit say to me "What IF you let this issue go and forgive?". I knew right then that I needed to turn my van around, head home and most importantly FORGIVE. For several days prior, I had been experiencing a great amount of anxiety, restless sleep and consuming thoughts. Sitting in my van, making the decision to let go and forgive, an immediate calm and cleansing peace washed over me. I won't say that every time I think about the offense I feel okay with the situation because a great wrong had been done, but what I am saying is that I am making a CHOICE to forgive the offender. I am choosing to forgive for the sake of my mental state, for my family and for my relationship with God.

Thank you for praying with me!  God sometimes works in ways we don't always expect, but I am very thankful for the lesson He taught me that day in forgiveness... it was very freeing!