GoNoles,
There you are. Missed you. I agree.
R8....Praying!!
I've been around... just so busy with life and moderating, etc... now with all the CF changes - WHEW!
I've missed you ladies, too, but I've been keeping tabs.
Seriously, J - my thought is that it's not good if you hold this in:
(1) you won't be dealing with each layer of the issue for yourself. You need healing, too, y'know:
(2) you will be - in effect - "keeping secrets" of the feelings going-on in your own life... exactly the opposite of what you're encouraging M to do with you, right?
(3) remember... there's no reason to fear the truth. M needs to see it that way and realize that it will take some time to heal all the wounds made during that time.
Yes, I acknowledge the Power of Christ to bring healing into your life and M's life (and anyone else, for that matter). I believe that to deny or hide these feelings hinders healing. God is capable of bringing more immediate healing as well... I have prayed that God would heal and erase memories and He has. That might be another tactic for you to try. The enemy is the one who wants to continue to make the past seem like the present and to make both you and M continue to feel defeated.
I would have that discussion with M... that this is still a spiritual warfare thing and that by keeping things open neither of you gives the enemy the satisfaction (or victory) of working on the other.