Choosing to Forgive

How can I learn to forgive my spouse {anyone} even when there's no apology?

Choose to forgive.

Jeremiah 33:1-9

In Jeremiah 33:1-9, the Lord modeled what grace and forgiveness was—and what it wasn't. First, forgiveness didn't mean pretending a wrong had not been done. The Lord said the people were evil, he was furious at their sin and rebellion, and he had to punish them (33:4, 5). Sin had broken their relationship. In your relationships, sometimes you, too, have to name the sin, confront in love, and explain its consequences.

But then you can choose forgiveness, as God did. "I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned, and by which they have transgressed against me," says the Lord (33:8). The Lord chose to forgive, and he himself took away the guilt of sin. He chose to forgive, heal, and bless his people even before they repented. So, too, you must choose to forgive, knowing God has taken away the guilt of sin at a great price—the death of his Son.

God's ability to forgive is rooted in his character. When you find it hard to forgive your spouse, it might help to focus on God and how he forgives you, rather than on the wrong done to you. Once you fully grasp grace as displayed by God himself, it's easier to forgive another person. (See also Ephesians 2:14-18; 1 Peter 3:8-15.)

Good Words to Remember:

Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is his name): "Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:2, 3

Today's Challenge:

Have you chosen to forgive? Why, or why not?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/questions/forgivespouse.html

This speaks to me. This is something that I struggle with daily. The 'funny' thing is, I don't usually struggle with forgiving the bigs things; the obvious sins, but I struggle beyond words to forgive the small things; the every day sins. I thank God that He does not have the same struggle. That He forgives ALL things. I pray that I can forgive ALL things as well.

Seasons of Change

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
Anne Bradstreet

It became painfully obvious to me last week that I was moving, but without purpose. I was going through the motions, but without emotion. I was doing, but not getting things done.

I had outrun the place that God had called me to be.

It's an awful feeling, the feeling that you've left God behind and are going it on your own. It isn't a comfortable feeling by any means. It's downright scary.

The good thing is, it didn't take long before I realized where I was and what I had done. I was able to stop before I had wandered off too far. I was able to call out and wait.

And I wait. In a season where I still feel empty.

Although, I know that I am no longer alone, I still do not feel full of passion and purpose. I hear God telling me to keep moving even though I definitely don't feel like going.

He is there and I am listening.

I know that we go through every season for a purpose. We do not suffer through times of adversity without the benefit of clearly being able to rejoice during times of prosperity. We have to have the rain to see the rainbow. The seasons have to change.

I know that God will use this season for my benefit. I know that, if I let Him, He will shape and mold me in ways that make me better equipped to worship and serve Him.

I am not comfortable with feeling devoid of passion, but I pray I do not try to escape this season of emptiness so quickly that I do not take the time to hear what God is speaking to me.

I truly believe that God is telling me to keep moving, but to stop trying to lead and instead turn and follow.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry"
Psalm 40:1 (NIV)

also posted at http://blog.myspace.com/melissaaallen

Surgery Scheduled

I promised I'd let you know when my surgery was scheduled...it is scheduled for next Wednesday. If all goes well it'll be an outpatient surgery and I will be home Wednesday afternoon. I'm not terribly worried about it, but a little anxious about having to take the time off of work. Oh well, it'll work out.

I have also scheduled the LEEP for next Tuesday.

It's going to be a busy week medically!

I have neglected this blog for the evils of myspace, but thought I'd better check back in here and catch everyone (all one of you that read this...maybe a phone call would be easier) up on the latest going-ons.

After 5 weeks, I am finally meeting with the surgeon today to schedule surgery (hence the surgeon) to have my gall bladder removed. I find it absolutely facsinating that 5 weeks ago I walked into the doctor and told her that it was my gall bladder and that it would have to be removed...and yet it took five week, one trip to give blood, one ultrasound, one hour-long test involving the drinking of barium and powdered alka seltzer, one hour-long test involving the injection of radioactive chemicals, one half-hour test involving the injection of morphenie and two additional appointments with my primary care physicion before she could come to the same conclusion. Sometimes I wonder about modern medicine!
I am truly hoping that despite the discomfort that he does not schedule surgery for this weekend. I have plans for this weekend and I really don't want to miss out. I know, I know, where are my prioritites? Don't I care about my health? Yes, I care about my health...but I also care about the people I made plans with...if I cancel, they have to cancel, and that's just sad. I am actually hoping that he will schedule for early next week...maybe Monday or next Saturday (5/12) although I do have lunch plans for that day too.
I think it's safe to say that I am way too busy to have my gall bladder out.

I am also having gynecological issues. I had an abnormal PAP in February which they followed up with a Colposcopy and a biopsy of three areas of my cervix (that was not a comfortable procedure). Now I have to go in in two weeks to have a LEEP done. Electrified wires cutting off private, sensitive parts of my body? I am definitely NOT looking forward to that appointment. I think they should put you to sleep when they do that procedure. None of this numb you locally thing...
Ok, I am beginning to think that if I had children that I wouldn't be able to do it naturally...I'd be screaming for the drugs.

I will write again when I know more about my surery.

Until then....take care and have an awesome day!