Forgiveness...

[brinny]

I did not really love my mother until I "grew up". God's grace enabled me to see her differently, in a new light. I no longer saw her as a 'mommy' that did not meet my needs, who hurt me, but as a woman who suffered greatly as a child, and as an adult, and who was unable to ask my forgiveness. God enabled me to see past her faults and see her need. We developed a new relationship before she died and I am thankful to God for it. By the time she passed we had been reconciled and had a relationship that was genuinely a friendship. I had learned not to expect something from her that she was unable to give. In the beginning, our visits were brief, and lasted only as long as it was genuinely tolerable...I met with her in 'doses'. Our visits became longer, and always were because we genuinely enjoyed each others company. I saw clearly just who she was, her limitations, and mine. It was 'real' for the 1st time in my life. My mom knew that I genuinely loved, respected, and saw her as the unique person she was and that I delighted in being with her. I realized only after she died what God must have been doing....He was loving her through me. Praise God.

~brinny

 

[HisKnight]

Brinny,
It is wonderful that you were able to develope a relationship with your mother.
I never had the opportunity since my mother died when I was only 14 months old so I never even knew her.
Sometimes it just takes time to develope any kind of relationship with any person.
Before my younger brother died we had finally forgiven each other for mistakes we had make in the past.
So I am happy that you were able to have that relationship that all people need.
Praise God!

 

[brinny]

Amazing, yes. It would have never been possible without God's inexplicable grace. It seems that God used my own suffering to learn what I needed and to prepare my heart for what was to come.

I'm eternally grateful that He did.

My dad died, estranged from me. But I still believe that in God's grace and tender mercies He had worked in his heart and he was safely in God's arms in his last breathing moments. He died tragically in a fire.

God's grace is more than I can fathom. I believe we will see our loved ones in heaven and there will be a celebration the likes of nothing we can imagine.

God rejoices over us with singing. I can just see it now......all of us rejoicing and singing with Abba and all of our loved ones.

And yes, our beloved pets. They will be there too.

 

[Ariella]

i've been reading recently about ... forgiveness being an opening to love ... i think it goes hand in hand though ... the more we know God's love, the more we are able to forgive others in God's strength, and the more we forgive, the more we love others through Him and grow in His love ... all part of a great cycle once we step in to it and what you shared really showed this and how as you forgave your mother and allowed her to be who she was instead of who she was expected to be ... you were able to also love her and spend better time together ... and i'm rambling now lol, but this is great and i'm really happy you were given that time together

 

[diamond717]

I have heard stories such as these, and stand amazed at them. Not every relationship can be mended so, and for that reason it is good these things happened to all of you.

 

[brinny]

what a precious thread.....

yes, forgiveness is a precious gift from God.