Expectations

As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:20

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Did the sun rise on your day? I expect it did.

As a matter of fact, when I opened my eyes this morning, I expected the sun would be rising. I not only expected it because of the light filtering through my closed eyelids, but also because internally I just presume the sun will rise each morning that I wake.

Did you have your coffee or tea this morning? I expect you did.

As a matter of fact, when I went to the kitchen this morning, I expected the coffee maker would work and brew my drink. I not only expected it because I smelled my son-in-law’s cup of joe, but also because internally I just presume the Keurig will operate each time I need a pick-me-up.

Did you look at your computer today? I expect you did.

As a matter of fact, when I thought about writing a blog this morning, I expected my computer keyboard to light up. I not only expected it because I had barely put it away a few hours ago before bedtime, but also because internally I just presume my computer loves me and wants to function properly for me so I don’t yell at it.

Did you….did you…did you? I expect you did.

Why?

Because as a woman and human being, I…

Expect…

Assume…

Internally Presume…

Trust…

Believe.

But what if they computer crashed during the night?

What if they coffee make shorted out when turned on?

What if the sun did not rise and darkness prevailed?

Unmet Expectations.

False Assumptions.

External Reality Interfering with Internal Presumptions.

Uncertainty.

Doubt.

Disbelief.

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28

Girlfriends, the reality is we all carry expectations whether we are aware of them or not.  Sometimes our expectations are grounded in experience of the world. For example, the sun rises every morning, sets at night, and rises again the next morning. We don’t consciously think about it, but we do expect it.

We all carry assumptions, grounded in reality or not. Most of the time, we can assume the coffeemaker will work because for the past however many months we’ve used it, coffee has come out every time. We don’t overthink it, but we do know that one day we will press that button and voila….nothing happens. But we never expect that day to be today.

We all presume certain things will happen as a result of our experience, assumptions, and knowledge of how the world works around us. I presume my computer will work because (1) I went to Mac and have never looked back, (2) my husband is obsessed with technology, and (3) I have a child-like faith that everything will operate the way it is supposed all of the time, despite my immature fits of anger when it doesn’t.

So, my friends, I assume about now you are saying to yourselves, “Jackie, get to the point!” Whether that is true or not, doesn’t really matter. I am still assuming it. And therein lies my point.

Ladies, we constantly make assumptions and have expectations that are often subconscious and ruled by our past experience, present state of mind, and the unique worldview we possess. Sometimes those expectations are met on a consistent basis, and all the world is at peace. Yet at other times, our assumptions run up against the expectations of others around us, and all hell breaks loose before we even realize what happened.  No one intended to hurt another’s feelings, because everyone presumed to be on the same page.

In reality, nothing in this life is promised to go as we expect or assume it will. Truthfully, we are told we will face trouble. (John 16:33) Expectations will not be met. Assumptions will make an “ass” out of “u” and “me.” (Thanks to my high school volleyball coach for first pointing that out to me.) And presuming leads to let-down, which in turn leads to all-consuming attempts at controlling what, in reality, only God holds in His hands: the future and the people around us.

Girlfriends, my message to you and to myself today comes from that same verse that promises us trouble in life: John 16:33.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

TAKE HEART! Have PEACE. Jesus has overcome the world of expectations, assumptions, and presumptions with the only truth that we can truly and unequivocally trust and believe: He loves us, and He has final victory.

Victory over fear…

Over false or unmet expectations…

Over pain and suffering…

Over broken promises and shattered hearts….

Over death and dying….

Over every earthly concern you or I can imagine.

He experienced it. He fought the fight. He won the war.

And although the battle rages on inside our souls and between people on this earth,

you can raise your eyes to heaven in the morning, lift that cup of coffee to your lips, and confidently proclaim to the world (through your computer-aided social media) that JESUS REIGNS!

So consciously today make an effort to LET GO. Surrender. Lay it all at the feet of Jesus, the Lamb of God who came and conquered in a way the Jews never assumed would happen: SURRENDER! He did not build an Army and go to battle on earth against the Romans. No! He waved a white flag and laid down His life for you and me, and when God raised Him from the dead, He built the most powerful Army ever to fight the real battle…the spiritual one raging right now for our eternity.  Satan is using your expectations, your assumptions and your presumptions against you. Take back control with conscious prayer, proclaiming the Word of God you know to be holy and right. Do not live in a spirit of fear! Live in the Light of Christ….and have PEACE!

Girlfriends, today, His peace is with you….Expect it!  

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:3-5

Gotta Give It To God

Hello Girlfriends!!

So long....so very long since I have written a blog posting. I know. Forgive me?
Since I went back to school to study for a masters degree, the pace of life increased tremendously--as if I were not already living on a speeding train bound for endless track ahead!

Much has transpired in the ensuing months, and I promise I will blog on some of it soon. I have a two week break from class right now, and I am trying to catch my breath (and decorate my special space called my "office.")

In the meantime, I want to share a little ditty (funny word!) that I started writing in the hotel last May as we waited to move from Virginia back to Chicagoland. Finding it in my unpacked pile, I polished it up today thinking how very appropriate the lyrics are for this day!

NOW...who can put it to music?????? (Obviously not this girlfriend right here!)

Prayers, Hugs, and Love to All of You!

Gotta Give It To God

I wanna live

I wanna dream

I wanna be that

Girl I seem

There’s so much I gotta do

It’s hard just walkin’ in these shoes

Feeling so overwhelmed, it’s true,

Just can’t stop singin’ these blues

I know I gotta…

(Chorus)

I gotta, gotta, gotta

            Gotta give it to GOD

I gotta, gotta, gotta

            Gotta give it to GOD

            Give it to GOD
            Give it to GOD.

One day I’m up,

Next day I’m down,

In this crazy head

Life’s turned around.

If I wanna live

If I wanna dream

I know I gotta go

To that Living Stream

I know I gotta…

(Chorus)

I gotta, gotta, gotta

            Gotta give it to GOD

I gotta, gotta, gotta

            Gotta give it to GOD

            Give it to GOD
            Give it to GOD.

Merry Christmas!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 

praising God and saying  

^\“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,

the shepherds said to one another,

 “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 

which the Lord has told us about.”  

Luke 2:13-15 NIV

Merry Christmas, Girlfriends (and all who stumble upon this blog!)

Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Immanuel.

God with us who became God within us. 

As you spend this Christmas with your loved ones, I pray you will also live out the message of today's Gospel above. 

Go...see this thing that has happened. 

Seek the Lord's presence in your world today, and praise Him for it.

 BE His presence in today's world, and praise Him for the opportunity. 

Give glory to God in the highest heaven; extend peace to His people on earth. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:19-20 NIV

 

God came for you. He came for me. He came for His children, wherever they may be. May the peace and love of Jesus Christ rest upon you today and always. I love you all and thank you for a wonderful year of support as I have endeavored to allow God to speak through me in this blog. 

 

God Bless and Merry Christmas. 

 

 

I Am Peaceful

The Lord is at hand;  

do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything

 by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God.  

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts

 and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:5-7

Good morning, Girlfriends!

How are you today? 

"I am peaceful; thank you for asking."

I am interested to know how many of you would respond to that question this way? If I had to guess, I'd say, oh, about....ZERO. In today's world, peace does not seem to be the reigning state of mind or heart. Instead, we are more likely to be anxious, stressed out, busy, occupied, sad, concerned, depressed, or sick. Once in a while, that questions catches us on a good day--probably a Saturday--and we might respond with a more positive tone, proclaiming temporary happiness and contentment. Check back a day or two later, though, and most likely we will have reverted back to the former answers. Ladies, I admit, I have never heard anyone, including myself, admit to a peace-filled state of existence. Never. Not once.

Until today. 

Surprise! The words came straight out of ME. Yes, Girlfriends, I am peaceful. Thank you for asking. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:7 ESV

Not as the world gives...

Ladies, I have every earthly reason to be in a state of complete turmoil and emotional upheaval right now: 

1. I am married. I am a mother. I am a daughter. 2. My husband started a new job five states away this week. I miss him. 3. We are moving. I am still here, trying to sell our house in an over-saturated, deflated market. We are going to lose thousands of dollars. 4. My teenage son does not want to move. I am the mom he loves, but I am the enemy moving him. Love/hate relationships. I feel his pain. 5. Another daughter left home to college last month. I miss my babies, aka my lovely daughters. I am trying to be a good, long-distance parent, nurturing tender wings as they encounter the harsh winds of real life. 6. My oldest daughter is in extreme physical pain from a life-altering, medical error. I hurt because she is hurting. I can't fix it. I am pleading with God to heal her. She wants answers, including Why? I can't answer. I try to lead her to the One who can. 7. This same daughter's husband started a new job this week. She is moving to the opposite coast from where I am moving. 8. I am going to miss my mom. And sister. And mom-in-law. And girlfriends. I wish I had been a better daughter. I want to take them with me. 

"I am peaceful; thank you for asking."

Girlfriends, in the midst of life's pandemonium, this tumultuous turmoil, I have peace. Despite all these circumstances swirling around me, surpassing all understanding, the peace of Christ is guarding my heart and mind. 

Peace did not find me, however. I had to go after it. Go after Him. Seek Him. Pursue Peace. God, in His grace and mercy, offered me His peace but the work was mine to do. Do not get me wrong. I did not earn it. Peace was freely given to me. But I had to choose to claim it. I could be anxious and worried, stressed and depressed, or I could follow His Word:

do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything

 by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:5-6

My peace comes from trusting God. I give Him thanks and praise, even in the difficult times. I believe He is who and what He says He is. As proof, which we humans seem to demand, I stand on His examples of past faithfulness. To me. To my family. To others I know. To His beloved people written about in His Word. I submit my life to Him: the good, the bad, the ugly, the in-between. I chose to offer every issue up in prayer and then trust in His will and His plan, which is far greater than I will ever understand. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Ladies, peace is yours. Take hold of God's will for you. I pray today that you will seek the peace that passes all understanding. Do not sit idly by, waiting for it to come upon you. Do the work. Make the choice. I pray you will choose Jesus. Give thanks. Give praise. Lift up your face. Lift up your life daily. Peace is lasting but your efforts cannot be fleeting: prayer today, gone tomorrow. Be consistent and persistent in your pursuit. And be patient. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

So, I ask you Girlfriends, how are you today?

Peace be with you.

Mom's Perfect Day

 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; 

against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Greetings Girlfriends! This is a very special weekend as we approach the celebration of motherhood!

The Contest

While exercising my motherly skills this morning, aka folding the kids' laundry, I heard the DJ on KLOVE read an entry aloud from their contest called "Mom's Perfect Day." A woman had written that her perfect day would include a visit to Scotland to research her family history for the three books she is writing. Mindlessly placing shirts on hangers as I listened, I marveled that a mother with children at home could write one, let alone three, books. I began to envision her trip to Scotland, with rolling green hills, highland dancers, and bagpipes. As I sorted socks, I wondered about my own "perfect day."  

In an instant, the laundry room faded, and I was relaxing on a private, white sandy beach with my husband in the middle of a clear blue ocean. Our fully furnished villa was stocked with fresh fruit and fine chocolates for me and Diet Mt Dew and pizza for him. No phones; no internet, just island music floating through the air, a serene backdrop to our light conversation, as we gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, reminiscing and laughing carelessly. 

Ding! Ding! A text message alert. Back to reality. I set aside my search for a missing green sock and picked up my phone. My daughter wrote: "I have to give a speech at graduation!" A smile spread across my face and excitement for her welled up inside my heart. All visions of sun, sand, and romance were washed away by the pride I felt for my third child, who four years ago would have passed out on the spot if she had been told she had to speak in front of a group of five people, let alone five hundred people! Suddenly I realized that I have already experienced "the perfect day"... more times than I can even remember. 

My Perfect Day(s)

Today's key verse from Galatians 5 reveals to us the fruit of the Spirit, which grows in a Christ-centered life. I can see the seeds of this fruit sprouting in my life because God chose perfect days to plant them in my heart.

Love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

Perfect Day #1: The day I met my husband. Our marriage has led me to accept Christ's unconditional love and to grant that same unconditional love to my spouse. I cannot imagine my life without him. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Joy. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 NLT

Perfect Day #2: The day of the birth of each one of my children. Motherhood has unveiled the joy of Lord in every single moment.  I am honored to instill in my children the joy of knowing Christ as Savior and of living a life of love, seeking truth, granting mercy, respecting justice, and basking in His grace. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Peace. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Perfect Day #3: The day I celebrate Easter, year after year after year. Standing at the foot of the cross, having meditated for days and weeks upon Christ's sacrifice and physical suffering--His forgiveness in the midst of torture--I am filled with peace because He has overcome. Christ conquered death and all sin, fear, restlessness, and disharmony. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

Patience. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Perfect Day #4: Each day I taught in a classroom, led a girl scout meeting, mentored student leaders in FCA, or coached a youth sports team. God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to model His patience, love, and provision to youth across this nation. In return, I have developed trust and endurance to calmly withstand the trials and tests of this life, including my daughter's serious injury last summer. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 

Kindness. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Act 20:35b NKJV 

Perfect Day #5: The day a co-worker gave me a huge box of baby clothes for my first child because she knew how little I could afford; the days military spouses prepared us meals after coming home from the hospital; the days the mailman delivered cards and packages from our parents while we lived thousands of miles away; and the days friends came to my rescue while my husband was deployed or traveling. The Lord is truly rich in kindness, placing caring, compassionate, and giving people in my family's life. As the scripture says, He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever. 2 Corinthians 9:9 

Goodness. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Perfect Day #6: The day I was born. My parents have loved me and my sister out of the goodness of their hearts, showered us with good gifts, disciplined us with good intentions, demonstrated goodness by their actions toward others, and continue to uplift us and praise us for our goodness. God, our eternal Father, will one day call us all home, and I pray my family will dwell eternally together in His goodness. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Faithfulness. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Perfect Day #7: Moving Day, all twenty of them! From infancy to middle age, I have moved with faith in God's plan. In each new location God has shown His steadfast faithfulness, providing affordable housing, safe communities, access to quality education, opportunity for spiritual growth, and amazing lifetime friendships. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 

Gentleness. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2

Perfect Day #8: The day I met my best girlfriend, Linda. On this earth, she is my role model. Her core ingredients are: humbleness, gentleness, kindness, goodness, giving, loving, sharing, believing, praying, trusting, and devotion to Jesus Christ. The frosting on top is that she is also fun, adventurous, talented, beautiful, a great mother, and most of all, willing to hang around people like me! Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Self-Control.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

Perfect Day #9: The days I spend in peaceful meditation, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Sometimes this day is on a beach, or hiking a wooded-path, or admiring the brilliance of a sunrise or sunset from my back deck. Whether alone or in the company of others, God has impressed upon me the need to focus upon Jesus Christ as the center of my life, taking time to be still and know His power and presence. These times of refreshment and devotion strengthen me for the battle of the flesh and will that permeates all of my imperfect days! We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

 My Prayer for You

Girlfriends, my prayer for you this weekend is that you will celebrate and honor motherhood--thanking God for the mother who birthed you. If you too are a mom, I pray your children will esteem and praise you for your sacrifices to them. May the fruit of spirit sweeten your soul as you watch it grow. Please, do not wait for a radio contest to recognize and enjoy God's perfection in your ordinary days. His will for you is good and holy!

Love to All!

P.S. If any of you do happen to win an exotic vacation and need some company, or are unable to go, well, hey, I am available for travel! A girl can still dream, can't she????

Mental Vacations

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

God makes salvation

its walls and ramparts.

Open the gates

that the righteous nation may enter,

the nation that keeps faith.

You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you. 

Trust in the Lord forever,

for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. 

 Isaiah 26:1-4

As I stood making my breakfast smoothie this morning, my dear daughter told me, "It's going to be 82 degrees today.."
"Really?" I asked, thinking how nice 80's sound after these evening lows in the 30's again.
"..in Hawaii," my dear child finished her sentence, which I had interrupted with my comment.
"Of course it is!" I laughed, mentally traveling with her to the beaches of Waikiki. My family loves Hawaii, no doubt about it!

Mental Vacations

Whether or not you have been to Hawaii, you probably have a place in your mind to which you like to travel for get-aways. I think we all do. It's our "happy place" we can go to when real life is overwhelmingly difficult. Being present in the moment is sometimes too stressful to handle. We need those mental vacation spots to take us away, even if for a brief moment of respite.

In today's key verse from the prophet Isaiah, we read a song of praise and remember that God is the ultimate vacation destination. His city walls are salvation. The righteous and faithful enter through its gates. Girlfriends, the calm we seek, whether we vacation for real or simply "mind travel", is waiting for us in the Lord:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

You do not have to board a plane or hire a travel agent. Jesus can take you in an instant to that place of perfect peace and tranquility. Trust in Him; keep your mind fixed upon Him.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

The Rock

The Lord is our Rock eternal...I love that thought. When we traveled to Florida for spring break, we drove out to the jetty and sat on the rocks to watch the dancing waves and pursue glimpses of sea creatures! In Hawaii last year, we climbed to the top of a huge rock for the thrill of jumping and falling twenty-five feet into the water below. (Or leaning back and not-so-thrillingly smacking your back and thighs onto the water and bruising from neck to knees, as was my case!) Even here in Lemont, I enjoy hiking out to the quarry and sitting on the rocks, feeling the breeze through my hair and the warmth reflecting off the stone. 

But Ladies, the Lord is our Rock eternal! He is THE rock upon which we can always rest steady no matter where we find ourselves or in what condition. He is strong, steadfast, and sturdy. 

My prayer for you today is that next time you desire to take a mental vacation, go to that beautiful place in your mind--the ocean, the forest, the canyon --wherever it may be. But take the Lord with you. Keep your mind resting upon the Rock of your salvation wherever you go, and peace will surely be yours all the days of your life!

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 NIV

Loving you!

Waiting

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ... I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 27:14, 40:1)

Girlfriends, waiting is sooooo hard! 

Upon what do you wait today?

Knowledge? Insight? Discernment?

Relief from pain? Healing for you or a loved one?

Financial rescue? A job? A move?

Assistance in a relationship? A marriage? Parenthood?

Revelation of your purpose? Of God's plan for your life?

In every season of life, you will find yourself in the waiting room at one point or another. 

How will you wait? Full of worry and anxiety, rocking  in the chair but going nowhere? Or will you abide in Jesus and rest in His peace? 

We are called to do our part to seek God's will. But when the answers do not come in a reasonable time-frame, we are also called to wait. During the waiting stage, Girlfriends, do not worry or be anxious. Find something else productive and God-honoring to do and apply yourself. Call upon a friend for support and a reminder to bring your thoughts captive to Christ.

 "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him (Psalm 62:5).

Waiting is hard, yet not impossible; however, waiting is a choice. You must choose to wait in peace, free from worry. Waiting is disciplined obedience to God's Word. Ladies, today let us sing praises and celebrate past victories as we faithfully wait upon our Lord.  We do not have all of the answers right now, but God does. That knowledge alone gives me pause and a purpose. I trust in Jesus. Do you?

 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

Be strong as you wait! I believe in you!

 

Forgiveness

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Forgiveness.

As He does when I am supposed to pay attention, God has been repeating this word throughout my week. I attended a church in St Louis over the weekend, and I will bet you can guess the topic of the sermon: Forgiveness. I listened, nodded my head, but felt no conviction. Then, I turned on the radio in the car to hear Sanctus Real singing, "Well the past is playing with my head and failure knocks me down again-I’m reminded of the wrong that I have said and done, And that devil just won't let me forget..." (lyrics to Forgiven) OK, God, is there something you are trying to tell me here? My ears are tuned. Finally, I opened an unknown email only to discover the author is a former schoolmate who divulged that I had caused her pain years ago. Forgiveness just became incredibly personal.

Forgiveness.

 I have heard this word from the time I was a small child, reciting the Lord's prayer: "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." (Matthew 6:12) From my mom, I was taught that I was to ask for forgiveness (tell your sister you are sorry) as well as extend it (tell your sister 'it's ok'.) Yes, that is a silly example, but isn't that how it all starts? From your own experiences, which do you think has been harder? Seeking forgiveness? Offering forgiveness?


I forgive you.

As a woman who survived a Nazi death camp, after watching both her father and sister die, Corrie Ten Boom wrote, "“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” (Clippings from My Notebook.) Can you imagine the depths of her soul to which she traveled to find her forgiveness for those men who caused her unfathomable pain? Have you been, or are you now trying, to get to that place in your own heart?

Luke 6:37 (NIV) instructs us "...Forgive, and you will be forgiven." We know the will of God is that we forgive one another as our key verse for today states. The application of our knowledge seems often to be the sticking point. 

Today, Girlfriends, I pray you will open your hand and grasp that key that Jesus offers you, and then do as Corrie ten Boom says: Unlock the door of resentment, take of the handcuffs of hatred. Extend your forgiveness and be set free. By not doing so, you are in effect allowing that person's words or actions to hold you hostage. Don't think you can bring yourself to it?

Well, Corrie ten Boom found herself in that exact position in a church in Munich in 1947 when approached by a guard from the camp where she had been held, where her sister had died. The man walked up to her, held out his hand, and told her that he had become a Christian. He knew his sins had been forgiven by God, but he asked her, "Will you forgive me?"

Of this experience, Corrie wrote, "“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.” (The Hiding Place) Corrie ten Boom forgave him right then.

Will you forgive me?

We don't have the advantage of also reading the thoughts of the guard Corrie forgave that day. Yet, I ask, can you empathize with him? What courage did he muster to ask forgiveness of a woman whose dignity he stole? To whose sister's death he contributed? Of whose life he forever altered? Furthermore, from what pit of hellish control by Satan had he escaped to seek and discover for himself the life-saving forgiveness of our Lord and Savior? Have you visited such a place on your life's journey? I pray, my Girlfriends, that you have sought and received God's forgiveness through repentance. He will wash you clean; your sins will be cast to the bottom of the sea. If you have not come before Him, I pray you will do so now. 

Finally, like this guard, do you need to seek forgiveness from someone you have sinned against? Yes, God forgives you. In return for His loving kindness, set your pride aside and apologize to your earthly brothers and sisters whom you've wounded. Perhaps they will forgive you; maybe they will not. Pray to the Lord and release to Him what only He can do. 

As for me, I responded to that email I received. I sincerely apologized for any pain I caused and asked to be forgiven. I was not a Christian as a teen, and I confess to selfish, jealous behavior. My soul knows God has forgiven me; I can only pray this person will too. But I also have another prayer, which is for God to work on any unforgiveness I am holding tightly in my heart. That email, and the desire to be forgiven for something I honestly regret, reaffirmed the peace and love forgiveness fosters. Am I robbing someone of that experience today? Are you? Girlfriends, let us all pray: to release others, and to be released ourselves, from sin--past, present, and future. Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with you all!