Looking back, grief should have been obvious, but its face stayed hidden from me as I struggled to forgive my offender. I did not realize that the first step towards forgiveness was to grieve over what had happened. In fact, I didn't realize that I was grieving until I was months into the struggle. Why we often miss grief as the first step in forgiving others: Who willingly signs up … [Read more...] about How To Acknowledge Your Grief First To Forgive Your Offender
grief
Hope Through the Tears
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 (NIV)It was a cold evening in February almost four years ago. My sister-in-law, Angie, and I were responding to an open invitation to attend a video taping for Lisa Whelchel's Creative Correction series, which was being taped downtown. Rob and I had just moved to Nashville and, other than Angie, I did not know anyone. I … [Read more...] about Hope Through the Tears
Some Questions For You
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar." Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV)This is going to be an unusual post. I have mulled this thought over and over again during the last few years because I see such a huge trend in my generation of people my age leaving the faith of their childhoods or adolescent years for good. … [Read more...] about Some Questions For You
Seventy-One Balloons
(Before reading this blog post, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and pause the music.) “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!Job 19:25-27 (NLT)Our family gathered under … [Read more...] about Seventy-One Balloons
Children of the Heavenly Father
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.Matthew 18:10 We used to sing the following hymn during our Monday night devotions with Uncle Bob and Aunt Ruth Ann Peterson and Uncle Dave and Aunt Joyce Falconer at Ubangi Academy, the boarding school I attended in Congo when I was in seventh grade. … [Read more...] about Children of the Heavenly Father
My Love For Luke (by Jordyn)
"From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." Psalm 8:2 June 6, 2008Dearest Luke,I can't find words to describe my feelings.I am relieved that you are in heaven, but sad that you have left us. At your … [Read more...] about My Love For Luke (by Jordyn)
