In 1973, I gave my mother a small book for her birthday, with the above title - written by Wilferd A. Peterson. After she and my father passed away, I brought all of their books to my home for slow perusal, since I am loathe to ever get rid of a book without examining it first. And since my mother was known to hide things in books - including money - that was prudent of me, don't you think?
This very small volume, illustrated by Arlene Noel, remains in my possession and currently resides in my guest bathroom. If it is good enough for my guests, it's good enough for you, right? I decided to share some of it with you, since I was struck today by one of the main messages:
"Forgiveness should span the years. You should first forgive yourself for the wrongs you've done to yourself and others, for the mistakes you've made, then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime. Thus you release others and you release yourself. You break the chains of regret and remorse that bind you. You free your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future...
Forgiveness should become a habit. When the Master was asked how often we should forgive, he answered: "until seventy times seven." He who forgives to infinity will never hate.
Forgiveness should start now. Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness. Life is short. Time is fleeting. Today is the day to forgive."
"Forgiveness should span the years. You should first forgive yourself for the wrongs you've done to yourself and others, for the mistakes you've made, then you should forgive and bless all those who have wronged you during your lifetime. Thus you release others and you release yourself. You break the chains of regret and remorse that bind you. You free your mind from the burdens of the past so you may walk victoriously into the future...
Forgiveness should become a habit. When the Master was asked how often we should forgive, he answered: "until seventy times seven." He who forgives to infinity will never hate.
Forgiveness should start now. Putting off forgiving only deepens the wound. Clinging to bitterness postpones happiness. Life is short. Time is fleeting. Today is the day to forgive."
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Update on the argiope spider: she flew the coop! This morning, she was not on her web, although it was still intact. I went outside to look at it, and there was a much smaller spider in the web. I assume he is a male argiope - much smaller than the female. After about an hour, he also abandoned the web and now both are gone. I'm not sure what happened to them, but perhaps she didn't want to be pursued.
11 comments:
Nice thoughts from the book. Thanks for sharing. Did you find any money in the book?
Sometimes it is easier to forgive others than to forgive oneself. Must try harder:)
Forgiveness can be puzzling. At times we think we have let something go, and then it keeps cropping up again.
Forgiveness is truly the best medicine. Love her take on it. The saddest thing is when people carry an unforgiving heart to their graves. Personally, I am way too lazy to carry a grudge.
I'm all for forgiveness but, for me, it must be tempered without forgetfulness. There are lessons to be learned each time we find we've done wrong and each time we've been wronged. My mother was a blind forgiver and taught me to be so. That led to a wealth of pain because I kept getting burned by the same people or the same types of people. Now I can forgive a user or a loser, but I remember not to trust that one as much. Know what I mean?
After my last couple of days, I needed to hear this today. Thanks. :-)
Great advice from that book of yours. Now if that spider had forgiven that other spider...
This book looks like a treasure.
I needed to read this today, too. I'm still not ready to forgive my MIL. The wound is still too fresh. Perhaps when there's been time to heal, the forgiveness will find its way.
I must have this little book!!
Advice is so true and all the comments speak for themselves.
Take Care.
Great advice, though not always easy to do. But I do believe there is a Wonderful release in Forgiveness!
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