I’m so glad to hear that it spoke to you. That means so much.
When I was writing it, I forgot to include perhaps the most important detail:
At the end of the long line of faces I saw to forgive, I saw my own. And I realized that I actually needed to let my own inner child forgive grownup-me, for not being everything she hoped I’d be yet. And that may have been the most healing part of all.
Ah, this is beautiful. If you want a good song on forgiveness, try "Forgiving" by Sage & Simple (aka me 😄) This song was my therapy as I worked through forgiving someone who hasn't apologized or changed after years of hurt.
@Morgan your music is LOVELY. Raw, authentic, thoughtful, and just plain lovely to listen to. I love your voice and am enamored with your use of stringed instruments. Do you play? Have friends who loan their talents to you? I'm a fellow songwriter that LOVES strings and would love to connect:D
I absolutely loved listening to you read. So soothing and 100% work I need to do after what was done to me through my job loss. I am healing slowly (it’s been two years), but I still flinch and shed tears when specific people and places come to mind. I want this healing, to be able to give this kind of forgiveness one day. This visualization helped me find a way it could be done. Thank you, friend. 🙏🏼♥️
Deidre, this is a beautiful illustration of forgiveness and I appreciate how you walked us through the simple, yet difficult, steps. I started thinking perhaps I get stuck in unforgiveness towards others because I often can't forgive myself. Does that ever happen to you?
Yes—it absolutely does. I noted in another comment above that as I was writing this piece, I left out perhaps the most important part:
When I was going through this process and all those names and faces came into my mind, the last face to came into my mind was my own. And I found myself having to forgive myself for not always being who I'd hoped I would be, for making mistakes I wished I hadn't made, etc. Phew. I think I was the hardest one to forgive.
Ooh this hit me like a ton of soft bricks that brought me back to forgiving and releasing and blessing the person that caused so much trauma and harm in my life Deidre. Your words here are medicine for the soul and Gods gentle hand with you has helped you offer this to us and so many people that need to keep doing the practice of visualizing and forgiving. May the peace and lightness you feel now still course thru you daily.
Matt, I'm glad the bricks felt soft and not too hard; you offer a beautiful reminder that this is a practice that needs to happen over and over and over again—forgiveness is rarely a one-and-done kinda thing, I'm learning.
This is a difficult but important practice. I walked through a similar process using a Nancy Leigh Demoss’s revival Bible study called Seeking Him. Your comment about allowing the waters of God’s love to hold you up reminded me incredibly of Surrender to Love by David Benner—have you read it? It’s quite profound…and quite short. Put it on your after-seminary list;)
So so so good, Deidre. Thank you so much for this. I will carry this message with me.
Devon, that means so much. Thank you, and I’m so happy to be in community with you here.
This really spoke to me. Thank you so much for writing so beautifully about something so tender and vulnerable and yet extremely weighty!
I’m so glad to hear that it spoke to you. That means so much.
When I was writing it, I forgot to include perhaps the most important detail:
At the end of the long line of faces I saw to forgive, I saw my own. And I realized that I actually needed to let my own inner child forgive grownup-me, for not being everything she hoped I’d be yet. And that may have been the most healing part of all.
Ah, this is beautiful. If you want a good song on forgiveness, try "Forgiving" by Sage & Simple (aka me 😄) This song was my therapy as I worked through forgiving someone who hasn't apologized or changed after years of hurt.
Morgan, I would really love to listen to this. Where’s the best place to find it?
Anywhere you listen to music! Apple music, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, etc—it's out there. I can send you a link to whichever is your preference.
Oh my goodness. This is so beautiful. Your voice is so lovely.
Thank you so much! I hope it can be as healing for you as it was for me. :)
Imma go listen to it myself🎧
@Morgan your music is LOVELY. Raw, authentic, thoughtful, and just plain lovely to listen to. I love your voice and am enamored with your use of stringed instruments. Do you play? Have friends who loan their talents to you? I'm a fellow songwriter that LOVES strings and would love to connect:D
I absolutely loved listening to you read. So soothing and 100% work I need to do after what was done to me through my job loss. I am healing slowly (it’s been two years), but I still flinch and shed tears when specific people and places come to mind. I want this healing, to be able to give this kind of forgiveness one day. This visualization helped me find a way it could be done. Thank you, friend. 🙏🏼♥️
Kimberly, I see you. Healing is hard work. Praying yours makes you a little more whole everyday.
Bless you, friend.
This was so powerful and meaningful to me. Thank you so much for this perspective. So helpful.
Susie, I am so happy that you found this to be helpful. I hope it brings peace & lightness to your spirit!
It does and a new perspective on forgiveness was so helpful too! Forgiveness is so hard ! But so freeing when we do it.
Deidre, this is a beautiful illustration of forgiveness and I appreciate how you walked us through the simple, yet difficult, steps. I started thinking perhaps I get stuck in unforgiveness towards others because I often can't forgive myself. Does that ever happen to you?
Yes—it absolutely does. I noted in another comment above that as I was writing this piece, I left out perhaps the most important part:
When I was going through this process and all those names and faces came into my mind, the last face to came into my mind was my own. And I found myself having to forgive myself for not always being who I'd hoped I would be, for making mistakes I wished I hadn't made, etc. Phew. I think I was the hardest one to forgive.
Ooh this hit me like a ton of soft bricks that brought me back to forgiving and releasing and blessing the person that caused so much trauma and harm in my life Deidre. Your words here are medicine for the soul and Gods gentle hand with you has helped you offer this to us and so many people that need to keep doing the practice of visualizing and forgiving. May the peace and lightness you feel now still course thru you daily.
Matt, I'm glad the bricks felt soft and not too hard; you offer a beautiful reminder that this is a practice that needs to happen over and over and over again—forgiveness is rarely a one-and-done kinda thing, I'm learning.
Well, wasn’t prepared for the tears I just experienced!
🥹🫶🏻
Powerful
Thanks for reading, Tohru. I love interacting with you here.
*phew* [will be returning to this when i am ready] <3 <3 <3
Civil, I understand—I had to do the same. When you're ready, I hope it helps you move toward more wholeness, more healing, more shalom.
This is a difficult but important practice. I walked through a similar process using a Nancy Leigh Demoss’s revival Bible study called Seeking Him. Your comment about allowing the waters of God’s love to hold you up reminded me incredibly of Surrender to Love by David Benner—have you read it? It’s quite profound…and quite short. Put it on your after-seminary list;)