"OUR GIFT TO OTHERS. . .

AND OURSELVES" IS:

Giving them (and ourselves) Permission to NOT be perfect!

There are times each and every day that we may be experiencing the need to forgive someone for offenses. It could be a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a boss, and a person of leadership in the church.

When I was challenged this morning to think about whether I was answering God's call on my life or even dreams about my life, it caused me to reflect.

What is my dream - and you have heard me say before, I believe I do have the platform that has been there since I can remember. The Pollyanna in me is to get an "aha" moment and then want others to share my wonderful growth moment. Last year I worked on glitches. Glitches can be quite amusing or they can bring great depression. I decided to make them amusing and work hard to bring prudence and balance to those major changes.

And, so, what does this have to do with forgiveness? It is a BURNING desire to talk about it, to write about it, and to counsel with it in my practice. I could read a dozen Psychology magazines and utilize all those tools, and it wouldn't do half the Holy, permanent work that Embracing Emotional Forgiveness does. I wrote an article and used too many words. I have just resubmitted my 1500 word article to a magazine. After I put it in the mail, I realized, I need to write a handbook on this most important tool of God's guidelines for living a victorious life. I read about it from other authors, but never how to Embrace Emotional Forgiveness. I praise God that He put in my life, Pastor Harold Graham 22 years ago. The Holy Spirit gave him the formula One of peace and contentment in whatever circumstances we are living.

Let's look at Mark 11: 25/26.

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your own failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings."

God's Word is perfect and truth. And, so we know we have to forgive on a logical, black and white level. I am here to tell you, however, you don't always forgive from the emotional part of your being. 22 - years after I learned about this issue, I know what I am saying. We do NOT give people in our lives permission to be imperfect. We hoard and fantasize what we would do if we had the nerve. Oh, and especially if I weren't a Christian.

Our gift to the people in our lives is the gift to be imperfect. I will be writing this handbook and sharing some of those excerpts. I will let you all know when it is done and you may request a copy for a very nominal fee. (Paper costs etc.) Take this very important message to heart and watch God honor your relationships and life.

I Thess. 5: 11

"Therefore encourage (admonish,exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."

Do you have people you need to take off the hook? God will show you.

Part Two 3-11-12
shirley.faith.souder@gmail.com