Family, a group of people, each a unique masterpiece, sharing unconditional love, hugs and support. One of life’s greatest blessings. Cherish always.
I wish this beautiful quote was always the case, but life sure gets messy, feelings get hurt, concerns of money or time, and a myriad of other breaks in the vine. Sometimes breaks that cannot or have not been repaired or forgiven. A grudge – such a hard word, but also meaning, eat one’s heart out.
When I took this picture in southern Alaska one early June, I was taken by the vine carrying tiny heart-shaped flowers, each with a dainty white ‘tear’. I love the lush green fernlike foliage, from which comes vines with dripping hearts. As in life, families grow, each seeking their own life, with their own flowering bleeding-heart vine. Time continues, often way to fast, leaving those you love, for the next vine and flowers. It is not uncommon to see a family member pass away and a direct descendent born within the same year or time period. The tears change from sadness to joy when a precious new life comes into our lives. There is always room for more love but it does require a heart free to love and not mangled into unforgiveness.
Have you noticed there has been a word eliminated when expressing love. We have said, I love you, showing the direction from whom it comes. Yet, I note that most say, Love you, with no “I”. I have done it also but try to catch myself. Does not having the ‘I’ in the phrase allow me to give up less ownership. Why? Have we been hurt so many times it is just safer, to not have to take down the brick wall or more easily get out of commitment.
Is forgiveness needed to be able to jump the barrier between two or more grudges? I know you have heard, ‘I forgive you, but I sure won’t forget’. Does it become personal, fair to say, ‘it’s not my fault, look what they did to me’. Forgiveness requires an active decision to let go of resentment and anger, to lessen the grip that can easily strangle. Sometimes forgiveness has a mind of its own, or so we want to believe. Often misunderstanding the culprit, stalking through the night to keep us awake, and grow as we feed it.
In Ephesians 6:10-11, from his jail cell in Rome, around the year 61-62 AD saying, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” It would have been much easier for Paul to have bitterness in his heart, unable to forgive those who had put him in jail. If so, would we have the word penned for our hearts to learn from his experiences. Examine what needs to be forgiven in your life, allowing the Lord to put each on your heart. The list could be overwhelming, each occurrence needs attention, some more than others. Start with one, pray for the Lord to put that one on your heart to work through. I am so thankful for each who have been in my life, some who have taken me for granted or used me for their outcome. Forgiveness is not easy, but there is a Lord who loves us and wants to remove the brick from the wall of hurt. I pray the bleeding-hearts of our lives flow with love from us to where it belongs for His glory.