To begin a story...
Two monks are walking down the road. They arrive at a muddy stream crossing, and a well-dressed woman declares without introduction, “Don’t just stand there. Someone carry me across this mess.”
Without pause, the older monk lifts her across. She says nothing, not even a thank you.
The two monks walk all day. The whole time, the younger one stews in his mind — How could he pick her up? We’re not supposed to touch women, or even talk to them. And she was so rude, someone should say something to her, she didn’t deserve our help.
Finally, arriving at the inn for dinner, he can’t hold himself back. “What were you thinking?” he asks his friend. “She was nasty, and you broke the rules, and she didn’t even say thank you.”
The older monk smiles gently and replies. “Wow, I put that woman down hours ago, but you’ve been carrying her all this time!”
(Taken from www.mindful.org)
We can all be guilty of letting blame and anger fester in our hearts. We may not want to forgive ourselves or others for the hurt, real or perceived, that we feel we've suffered, alternatively we may not want to ask for forgiveness from others for the mistakes we have made that have hurt others.
So often, we let our anger, pride or even embarrassment get in the way of us setting things right and looking for God's help to do so.
What we should remember is that forgiveness is something that is not only good for the soul, but also for the body. There is evidence that those who forgive, or accept forgiveness, see an improvement in many physiological symptoms, including depression, anxiety and stress.
Today let's be mindful of whether there are people in our lives who we need to forgive, or those that we need to ask forgiveness from.
Take a moment too to ask God for his forgiveness, for its great to have a Father who is there, ready to forgive all who are sorry.
I wonder if this short poem can help us at all as we think about the positive effect offering and accepting forgiveness can have on us
Mending bridges
Forgotten are the tears, the hurt, the pain,
On forgiveness’s path, love’s bridge we regain.
A step towards the other, across the divide,
Where empathy and understanding reside.
(Author unknown taken from www.poemsplease.com)
A final word to ponder from Corrie ten Boom – “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate.”
If you've time to take this further, why not try this mindfulness meditation on forgiveness. https://www.mindful.org/10-minute-guided-mindfulness-meditation-foster-forgiveness/
Catherine Booton
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