You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.

***Lewis B. Smedes***

I've struggled with this concept lately. That art of forgiveness. Hurt is real. It causes outrage, frustration, distrust, confusion, fear...the negative ramifications seem almost endless. But forgiveness, though it's often hard... Forgiveness is a process, a challenge, and also a command... Forgiveness is freedom. Forgiveness allows you to step down off your high horse (or pedestal for the non-horse fans)...the one that tells you that you don't deserve to be hurt. The one that says you don't deserve to be wronged. Or treated unfairly. Or wounded. The one that says you're without flaw...

Forgiveness allows you to remember that you've probably done some hurting yourself. That someone (let's be real, many someones) have had to forgive you. That maybe at times you haven't even deserved a second chance, but you've been granted one...at some point. That someone has looked at you and said "you're worth more than the damage you've done. Or the selfish decisions you've made." Forgiveness means you're still valuable. You're more valuable than your one bad moment... 
It allows two people to understand something incredible. Forgiveness allows those involved to understand grace. Grace. Grace. Did I say, Grace?

Many things in life are beautiful, forgiveness is one of those many things.

it's simple really...(a reminder to myself)

Clarity comes from time spent with God. So why then do we blame God for lack of clarity when we haven't been spending time with Him or His word. 

Clearly, (no pun intended, but I enjoy them better when they're unintentional anyways...so win, win)...this reminder (to myself)
came from the Lord.

I'm no poet, but I like a love song...

Writing anything to anyone is scary, but writing a poem is completely terrifying. Especially if you're not a poet to begin with. And maybe they say how great it is, and maybe they say nothing at all. Maybe their an artist and so the poem falls on a critical eye. Or maybe their not an artist and therefore poetry is not in their wheelhouse of understanding, they prefer simple statements. Either way, no outcome changes the emotion in the poem...the feeling that rest gently, eagerly behind the pen. And so therefore, no matter what the outcome...the poem is always worth writing. Worth sharing.

Once upon a time through a series of events unplanned,

A young man stole a woman’s heart with the mere stroke of his hand.

He had great looks, talent, character and wit.

She had butterflies, goosebumps, and the fire he had lit.

He gave her strength, passion, and warmth from the cold.

He provided her with adventures, honesty, and lyrics made of gold.

And as time passed, the flames still rapidly grew and the verses took shape. 

Both voices eagerly toiled despite not knowing what song they would create.

And as their story continued to unfold.

And seasons passed and the young grew old,

A friendship continued its melody, while the rhythm of the heart transformed.

Beautiful ballads set them free and through harmony love was born… 

no higher ambition

"Christian contentment, therefore, is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to The Lord and to be totally at His disposal in the place he appoints, at the time he chooses with the provision He is pleased to make." 

-Sinclair Ferguson (provided by Mellette Chatham's facebook status)

Encouragement. Boom.

Encourage each other. Why? God says so.

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.                  (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Thank you JEM for being one of the many people who has always encouraged me, with wisdom and with love. I still have this (along with many other things you've written me). Many years later  it still lays on my bedside table. And I'm so grateful for you (and people like you) in my life. You are a true "jem"...