I only know an angry, bitter mother. A mother who held tight to possessions because people had always failed her.
I only hear from my mother how my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and father abandoned and/or mistreated her. Everything was their fault. Her decision to take no responsibility for her life and actions has given me an understanding of how unforgiveness can hurt someone.
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25-26I make the choice to forgive the teachings of bad habits from my mother. I choose not to be bitter about having a mother who wasn't there to care and cook for me... to be the mother I needed... for holding "things" tighter than she did me.
Did she know her habits would become my own? Will I hold on to the anger, resentment, and possessions passing down to my son the lessons I was taught?
Just as I choose to rid my home of more clutter today, I choose to forgive as I have been forgiven. I choose to teach my son the lesson of forgiveness.
I'm linking up today:
There a lot of hope in this post Lynda...
ReplyDeleteStill--makes my heart hurt for the "little kid Lynda".
I'm so sorry.
But...I'm so thankful for your response.
And for how that will allow God to work in the life of your own little guy.
A wonderful lesson indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt is a rare person who can abandon what they were taught in their past and create a totally new and precious present. With God's help, all is possible. You are an example to us all. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have learned in my own life, that not forgiving someone is a lot like drinking poison yourself and hoping that it hurts the other person. When we hold all those feelings in, they cause us so much more pain. When you finally forgive, it is such a relief. Rather like putting the finishing touches on a finally clean living room. I know how that little girl lynda feels, but I also know that we are the only ones who can change the end of our own story. It is a choice we make every single day, to be different.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda, and by forgiving, your son will be free of that cycle! I recently listened to a great CD about anger and forgiveness and how Satan sets a trap for us through anger and unforgiveness. God bless!
ReplyDeleteGood for you to see your mother's pain and be able to let it all go. Your son will learn from you and be a better person because of it:)
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteIt takes a woman of great faith and maturity to recognize hurt and harm from your past and change it into something that will bring glory to God by your forgiveness and willingness to teach God's merciful love to your son. Your post is inspiring and encouraging as so many have things in our past that need forgiveness. Your mother, son, family and friends are blessed to have you in their lives as you strive to continually to do God's will and ways in your own life. God bless your continued journey!
Thanks for your thoughts on forgiveness today. I have a family member that is much like the mother you discribed. Regretfully, her daughter is becoming just like her. We feel she has a mental disorder that was caused by a childhood experience. We don't know what happened to her; but she fits the discription of a mental illness. I wish that the cycle could be broken. Meanwhile all of her children are being affected. We just continue praying for her and the children. It's all sad! Learning to forgive is a complicated problem for many in the family.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post and helps me to daily forgive someone who wronged me greatly. Also reminds me of God's forgiveness to me. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete