Hello Fellow Truth Students,
“The Forgiveness List”
As I continue our Lenten fast from gossip, criticism, and complaining I am noticing that despite my many efforts of clearing my mind of grievances I still have plenty of them.
It occurred to me that if I want True perception about people and life’s conditions I need to do something about my misperceptions. Facing them head on seems to be a good start. I have begun writing down all of the people, places and events where I find fault. It is embarrassing to me how many items I have listed. I say “items” because it doesn’t matter if they are people, places, or events. Once I form an opinion about them, they all become objects to me. As I form an opinion about myself, I objectify myself.
The forgiveness list let’s me face my illusions. Yes, one could say, “That really did happen.” But it is my judgment about it that has lead to my grievances. It is my judgments that let me play the scenario out in my head and in my heart over and over again. And just like an old record the scene gets scratchy over time. As I play the scene over in my mind it gets farther and farther away from what happened originally.
Write your forgiveness list with the intention of being for (pro) giving the list away. Give it away to the voice for God so that you may have only True perceptions of everything that has taken place in your life.
A key element in your writing is to be kind to yourself as you see the good you have resisted experiencing in your life as a result of being right. Simply make the list and declare your willingness to allow Holy Spirit to inform you of the Truth in all of these judgments. Let your “objects” become experiences that have led you to desiring God more than you desire to be resentful or disappointed. Become glad for these experiences. Admit you don’t really know what they are for and be grateful that they are serving the purpose of desiring the Knowing of God in your thoughts and in your life. Yea!
In Abundant Gratitude and Gladness,
Shawn
