THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

Have you ever felt the need to be forgiven? It is a terrible feeling . People talk about sadness ‘weighing them down’ but it’s true. When you hurt someone…. you truly hurt yourself too and it does feel like a heavy burden.

Have you ever forgiven someone? This has the opposite effect. You feel lighter and freed from carrying around your anger and the person you forgive (if they are aware of it) can feel even freer!

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive ? Think about doing so this Advent. Advent is the the season leading up to Christmas and it starts four Sundays before Christmas. (This year Advent starts on November 29th and ends Christmas Eve, December 24th).

Perhaps you have to forgive yourself? I am lucky to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation at my church. It is a gift to be able to unburden myself of my transgressions and start with a clean slate so to speak.

Just today I found out that I truly hurt someone with my careless words. I am still devastated by my thoughtlessness. But the person I hurt reached out and forgave me after I asked for pardon . It was as if my spirit burst out of my chest with relief and thanksgiving for the undeserved kindness offered.

Our forgiveness can mean SO much . It is healing for both parties. And who knows how much goodness can be spread by this simple act of kindness?

Today I was given this gift. And now I want to go forth and be a better person because of it.

There is truly a power in forgiveness.