A new year brings new challenges. Challenges in tatting (like Jane Eborall’s Tat It and See), new techniques and in the tatter’s lives. A broken ankle for one, a broken promise to another, presumptions, jealousies. . .an endless list of everyday challenges.
Are we ready for a New Year, a New Beginning?
I’m always intrigued by the personality that keeps a record of ‘wrongs’ or perceived wrong doings ~ for years. How can I remember what terrible thing I did when she was 10 years old; and, how bad could the action/spoken word have been towards a beloved grandchild? Since an accuser seldom specifies what it was done we are left ~ clueless. This is not an uncommon phenomena; I’m guilty of digging around in the past, also. My final conclusion was, “She (my Mom) did the best she could with who she was.” And I let go the grievance; I choose to remember the loving acts and moments of tenderness. Humanity’s love is conditional, no matter what we say. Even a parent’s love can be filled with conditions.
Forgiveness for us and through us comes from God.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9
Truly, “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you”.
Psalms 86:5
O God, give each one ears to hear and teachable hearts.
God is the only source of unconditional love; He alone dispenses of our infidelities (to Him and others) , sins, and hateful phrases and acts. He alone offers a new beginning, a slate wiped clean and our stained self washed whiter than snow; given a cloak of righteousness ~ which is his own covering, for we have no righteousness of our own. Take hope in His promises. Because Jesus sacrificed His all on our behalf, took our punishment upon himself ~ total forgiveness is ours. Consider these promises that are here for you which exemplify God’s unconditional love!
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson, they shall be like wool”.
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, but for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more”.
For the other’s in our lives? Perhaps those ’toxic’ friends and loved ones?
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you”.
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson, they shall be like wool”.
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, but for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more”.
For the other’s in our lives? Perhaps those ’toxic’ friends and loved ones?
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you”.
Forgiveness for us and through us comes from God.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9
Truly, “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you”.
Psalms 86:5
O God, give each one ears to hear and teachable hearts.
5 comments:
Bev, you put it so well. How bessed we are that Jesus showed His great love to us! We only need to access it for our own lives.
Sclew
I think with age comes insight, and the ability to forgive the people who may have hurt us years and years ago. It is healing to be able to do that, but forgiving oneself is an awful lot harder! Pride prevents that, unwillingness to see ourselves as the flawed human beings we are.Pride is definitely a Deadly Sin because it keeps us from at-ONE-ment.
A lovely thought, to begin the New Year afresh.
My own mother was Jewish, and followed a lovely tradition for the New Year whereby you go to the nearest body of water - in our case, the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean - and literally and symbolically empty your pockets, throwing away all the hurts and grievances othe past 12 months, so as to be able to have a fresh start.
This was a great post to wake up to this morning. I struggle every day to go to work. My director hates me and treats me horrible.
"Take hope in His promises" I'm going to try that today.
Lovely post, Bev. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I have just found this blog Bev and just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing. Wonderful thoughts to keep in mind!!!
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