One of the first posts I did on this Blog was on gratitude, but I feel a need to revisit this subject. Alan Cohen has written a piece called "Thanksliving". His focus is on past relationships. He writes, "It is important that we hold our past in a sense of reverence, along with the people we have known."
Recently someone from my past who caused me anguish at the time started coming to the Fitness Center I visit every weekday. She seemed not to know who I was, and I was not inclined to make myself known to her. She never looked directly at me, so I didn't feel the need to acknowledge her. But then God began to bring particular writings into my morning quiet time and it became clear I needed not only to forgive this person but to gain understanding to why her actions still caused me hurt when I thought about them after all these years.
And I did forgive her...as well as discover why it still hurt....and then was able share what I had learned with someone else who was dealing with a difficult situation. I was eager to see this person again at the Fitness Center so I could smile at her and re-introduce myself (although, I had the feeling she already knew who I was). Of course, she wasn't there--for days-- and when she did return I never found her looking my way so I could say "hi". But, amazingly, it didn't matter any more. The "work" had been done in me and I was able to have this sense of reverence of how God had used her in my life at the time and was still using her to show me things about myself I needed to see. Cohen goes on to say, "Assume that everyone who shows up in your life is here to bless you in some way." He suggests we make a list of significant past events and relationships and note by each the gifts we received from that person or experience. I guarantee you it will change your perspective and help to heal any hurts that still linger.
Father, I am grateful for everything that has happened in my life because now I can see Your Hand in them, working to bring good to me and to others through me.
Link to scripture: Romans 8:28
Take action: Gratitude
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