“How often would I forgive? Jesus said to Peter, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy seven times.” Mathew 18
For me not to forgive seems an impossibility, as I consistently strive to live in the perspective of God’s love and mercy. The deeper I experience God’s compassionate mercy he has shown for me, and all people, my soul is shaped in beauty. There may be a season in my life as a time of pondering, but deeply I forgive and love easily, because God’s love rising in me. For me life is a journey of divine love in which I can see love in all things, as St. Ignatius reminds us. As a faith filled, passionate woman, I tend to always strive to inspire others. My struggle is with the lack of desire in others to grow in love and nature. For me change and growth, in all areas of our life, is necessary and sustains life and dreams. My father used to tell us, when we stop learning, we die. I believe that to because I feel that deep within our lack or desire to grow, is like getting the mud of pride. It dirties our soul and weighs it down. But I also offer empathy and compassion as much as I can and am deeply aware that we are all individuals, with unique lives that is between God and self. As a child, the light to choose love was a gift I took for granted but now I see the great gift God has bestowed on me. Like a torch to help light the path for others. When in times of trial, I point the finger back at myself, and ponder more on how to grow in love for another. Here lies the freedom to love and grow.
Hurtful words, unkind acts or any situations that cause another pain, can be filled with tension and pain. In the depths of our humanness and the life we have lived in our heart and mind, only God really understands another’s perception of the situation. We all see things from an individual and unique perspective, that is meaningful to us in the moment or within our grasp at the time, that we have travelled in our life’s journey. So when I say it is impossible for me not to forgive, as a created being of God, it simply means that I constantly try to elevate and encourage my spirit to walk with the spirit of God’s love and mercy. The amazing mercy that he extended so graciously to me, that I must extend to others, to live in true joy and love.
Life is filled with amazing challenges, which can leave someone in unsettling states or viewed through the lens of God’s love as formation of beauty of the soul and being. Things easily sought or had, leave little to experience in the triumph of victory to love greater and grow in love. My sole purpose is to grow in God’s love for Him, self and others. I am a servant but also a woman of God, filled with strength and purpose. Above thoughts of it being complicated, we are continuously presented with the challenge of magnanimous love and to rise above higher in all realms of our states of being. It is what we place our mind in that matters most. If we love God with all our heart, mind and soul as the gospel of Mathew reminds us, our hearts are challenged to love greater, not fester in pain and heartache. Seasons are needed in all things, as is time in situations and people. If we intentionally spend more time contemplating love, in all its beauty and vitality, we and those around us, will prosper in ways of magnificence. If we pray for others and our own short comings and pain and show an active, self-giving love towards others, things in life unfold like a monarch emerging from its cocoon, spreading it fiery orange wings and taking flight for the first time, again and again. Love is endless. Lack of forgiveness is a closed heart that hardens but love is an open heart ready to live fully and healthy.
Love can expand the sea of the soul, and allow it to flow and stream into a beautiful channel of God’s love. It’s possibilities are endless, like a waterfall that cascades down the mountain and bows at ones feet of God’s chosen. Placing bars around a heart was never God’s plan but, in his infinite love, he allows us to chose, freely, like a loving and gracious father. There is freedom of heart, soul and mind in forgiveness. How amazing!
Peace,
Claudia
ournourishedsoul