I attend a weekly prayer group. A few weeks ago, the men gathered around me to pray specifically for me. The prayers and confessions went deep. Among them was a word that I must forgive people of my past. This is difficult because it is easy for me to create
excuses for them rather than admit how I was mistreated.
My biggest problem is that I can absolutely not believe that people can be so cruel. It is so foreign to me that my disbelief overshadows what I know to be reality. There is no possible way this person or that person can be so cruel hat they not just walk past the beaten traveler on the road to Jericho, but kick the half dead person as they walk by.
Here I have two thoughts. One condemns the people who behave this way wondering if I should confront the people who contributed to injuries, listing the trespasses and marking them forgiven, the other is to wonder if I am guilty. Do I help all the injured people I meet every day? I am afraid I know the answer to that question. I pray this web site becomes a vehicle where beaten and downtrodden people can find refuge pray that I am sensitive to others so I can help them. I know that the pain I endured made me callused in so many ways.
Father, help me to be sensitive to others and their pains. Help me always to say what you want me to say. Amen.
ceg
Written 10/8/17