Open to Forgiveness

My heart nor head were open.  2017 Word of the Year that had been on my heart for a bit, well, about 9 weeks to be more exact, was FORGIVENESS. I have tried for two weeks to blog about it.  I’ve typed words and deleted them.   I have saved drafts and started over.  I have studied and prayed about what comes with forgiveness, what is required to ask for it, what doesn’t come automatically with it.  What is sacrificed to ask or accept it.  Truth be told it has blocked all other blog posts in my head and heart.

Here is what I have come to understand for me personally.  No one has to ask to be forgiven for that to be extended.  Forgiveness isn’t necessarily about the wronged one being made whole by the party or parties who did something offensive.  It is about the wronged one making peace and moving on.  Sometimes that process includes reconciliation and maintaining a relationship but that isn’t automatic or required.  Furthermore, even if forgiveness is sought and granted, the responsibility of initiating reconciliation can still be on the one who offended.

If you have recently wronged someone, asked for and been granted forgiveness but aren’t reconciled, it might be that the ball is STILL in your court.  In my opinion, even though the steps already taken were hard, the beginning of healing reconciliation isn’t up to the one who was wronged.  The forgiveness and reconciliation can be connected but aren’t the same thing.

Word of the Year

I struggled with accepting the gentle push by the Lord in this realm. But, this last week, as I pressed into it in my research, prayer, seeking counsel, journal writings and thinking. Not surprisingly, it’s become easier to think on, pray about and think through. Don’t get me wrong, I am still wounded and protective of my heart, spirit,  and soul… But, now I can tell you aloud that my new word for 2017 is OPEN. I am open to change, open for discussion, open for suggestions & ideas, open to trying new things & walking this out, open for growth & depth,  open for new friendships and new business!