Cleaning a Bethany House

I knew that my next post about a Bethany House would be on forgiveness and I have been tossing around ideas. Then walking out of Meijer I saw this poster…

My heart sank.

You guys…

EVERY SECOND THAT UNFORGIVENESS EXISTS, SATAN WINS!
EVERY SECOND PRIDE EXISTS, SATAN WINS!
STOP IT!

***I have not read her books nor will I. Seeing her new title sealed the deal.  I find my strength in Christ alone and left to my own devices I will be discouraged constantly. Ain’t got time for that!***

If you are in the wrong. If you aren’t in the wrong but have hurt someone.
Apologize.
Be humble.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  

If you need to forgive someone. Do it. Sometimes that means forgiving them 100 times a day. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’ve been there and it’s really hard, but the Devil had won enough in my life and I had had it. Over time 100 becomes 50. 50 becomes 20. 20 becomes 2. Then that struggle bus only rolls around once in a great while. Be gone with it.   

I remember sitting in the church basement for Jr Hi youth group while the teacher drew a stick figure house with rooms on a whiteboard and talked about how our heart is like a home. We must clean it including the closets where no one goes or we think is hidden from everyone. The ugly. Confess it. Ask forgiveness and make room for good. Get all Marie Kondo on your heart!

***Teachers and youth leaders,  you never know what a kid might pick up! 24 years later I’m still gaining from what they taught me.  Keep going! Your voice speaking truth matters. ***

I surrendered and begged God for forgiveness but the need for forgiveness from some people in my life still nagged at me. Anytime obedience came up I had this tug to apologize to certain people. To tell someone you are sorry for something they don’t even know you did/said is humbling.  OK, weird.

Could I have gone without telling I ran my mouth and was wrong? Sure.

Is God’s forgiveness ultimately the one I want? Absolutely.

For me, it needed to be done.

The process showed me two things.
1. I never want to do that again so I watch my mouth more 😉  #liveandlearn 2. The response of the people I apologized to was very telling of our relationship.
One friend who has been steadfast and forgiving just said “Huh. This is amazing. I’ve never had anyone do this before. Of course I forgive you.”

Absolute mercy humbled me to tears. I can only pray that would be my response should I be on the receiving end. It definitely shook up some people;  some burned bridges, which I expected. I had to re-earn trust I had broken.

I never intended to share this story, but it played a massive role in the start of refining who God wants me to be. Go ahead and think me crazy, but I think people should do this more often! Sadly, asking for forgiveness – and giving it – is a never-ending process and I am committed to being in constant awareness of my flaws.  

Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Confess. Even when it’s hard. (see 1 John 1.9)

Forgive. Even when it seems impossible. (see Matthew 18.21-22)

Think about Who has forgiven you… for all the things  (hint… it’s GOD) (see Romans 5.8)

One more thing.  You’ll sleep better.

There’s an old proverb:  There is no pillow so soft as that of a clear conscience.

But no. I’m not reading her book. There’s a better one!