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Be Kind. Forgive..


"Get Over it.” “Forgive and forget.””I will forgive but I won’t ever forget.” None of these statements is kind, but probably you have said or wanted to say it to yourself or someone else. When want to get over a hurt, it would be easiest just put away the past, forgive and forget...But none of this is actual forgiveness.. nor is it needed.

In the scripture from Ephesians, we may glance at this and think that the writer Paul makes forgiveness seem easy..Just be kind. Just forgive. It seems to suggest that kindness and forgiveness go together. He makes it seem logical: just look at how God forgave you and do likewise. Wow, if it was only that easy. Forgiveness is not simple or easy. Forgiveness doesn't have to look like an act of kindness - however, there is a spirit of kindness that flows from the heart made tender by God's grace.

Paul believed forgiveness to be a defining part of our relationship with others. Forgiveness is integral to our shared life together in community. We will continue to fail and continue to forgive. Be kind with yourself and others with regards to this.

In the faith community where I serve, our promise to new members is that we will "surround you with a community of steadfast love and forgiveness." That is an important promise to understand. It says that we are all imperfect. A community of forgiveness is NOT a community of egos. It is a community where we surrender our mistakes, where we don't expect to always get it right or get along.. But we promise to walk humbly as those who ask for forgiveness.

AFFIRMATION

I forgive. I am forgiven. I am free to love and be loved. I am grateful.

I am overflowing with joy. I am Peace.

MY PRACTICE

(1) Listen to the guided meditation. Soak in the goodness of abundant love.

This is vital that you put your body and mind in a place of relaxation and imagination daily.

MY JOURNAL

Consider today what it means to accept that Forgiveness is Key to our Shared Life together.

PRAYER

A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition

I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,

Praised for you or criticized for you.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.

And now, O wonderful and holy God,

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,

you are mine, and I am yours.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.


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