(One reason it takes a long while to do barn chores is due to the great help…Mr. Molly climbs on the tractor, burrows into my lap and proceeds to oversee my efforts. The diesel tractor is rattling along and Mr. Molly purrs. When I climb down to pull the Hay Hut over the round bale, Mr. Molly climbs into my seat where he has a cat bird view. Even when he jumps off the tractor, he doesn’t go far and I must go s.l.o.w.l.y to make sure he’s away from the tires. He is a Very Trusting Boy.)
“Embrace and love all of yourself – past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself.” ~ Melody Beattie ~
“To forgive is indeed the best form of self-interest since anger, resentment, and revenge are corrosive of that ‘summum bonum’, the greatest good.” ~ Bishop Desmond Tutu ~
“The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.” ~ Confucius ~
“You cannot travel back in time to fix your mistakes, but you can learn from them and forgive yourself for not knowing better.” ~ Leon Brown ~
“When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure do change the future.”
~ Bernard Meltzer ~
“Forgiving is rediscovering the shining path of peace that at first you thought others took away when they betrayed you.” ~ Dodinsky ~
Please pray for ~ Alison ~ (If you’ve a name for this list, let me know.)
MAJOR WHINE with run on sentences: This past week, Rebekah told me moving was toward the top of most stressful life events. (Perhaps this is why God didn’t let me move soon after Dave died; He knew I couldn’t handle two such stressful events…wry smile.) Boxes are still 3 deep in the basement (including kitchen goods, bedroom things such as nightgowns, personals….you know…necessities!), the plumbing in the barn still isn’t working because the plumber said he’d be here last week but not only didn’t show, he didn’t call, the studio has no insulation, heat, etc. and I’m waiting on John R. to return my dining room furniture he’s had since May of last year. He’s supposed to be restoring it but, thus far, I’ve only seen the Singer treadle sewing machine (he delivered about ten days ago). I’ll show photos of the Singer this week and he did a wonderful job but he also told me he was bringing else everything last Wednesday. Now, he won’t return phone calls, e-mails or texts and I’m sorely frustrated. Until I get the dining room chest, dish cupboard and 1800’s “tall boy”, all dishes are in boxes, the mantle is deep in candle holders, book cases are loaded with things that need a better home…on and on. Then…
BCBS decided to drop me January 1 and deigned to let me know February 2…how kind. BTW, did you know the CEO of Anthem BCBS makes $17 MILLION a year?! No wonder premiums are +$1000 a month with a $6,000 deductible! Then…
VAFB decided the truck didn’t need to be insured and dropped it plus they STILL haven’t changed my address. The old agent wants the commission so he’s playing fast and loose with my new agent.
So, I’ve forgiven myself for the (many, many) wicked thoughts I’ve had this past week plus. However, I’m still working on forgiving the aforementioned for their misdeeds.
One thing at a time, eh?
P.S. I’m stopping now because it’s getting depressing…all over again.
LOL
Sorry about all you're going through! I've minimized my possessions to the point that moving just involves some boxes, lol. But we all live differently, which is what makes it interesting. I wonder where that Beth Moore quote came from? That one was aimed at me! 🙂
You should be frustrated, Sandra, I sure would be. It's that frustrating feeling of needing to do something–unpack necessities, dishes and nightgowns–but that being dependent on something else happening first. And round and round it goes.
I do believe that moving is right up there in the top five, or less, of stress factors. Two times moving out of state within 9 months time just about did us in physically even if the last time made us very happy.
Forgiveness is a tough subject, one for me that I know would be a brick wall for me if someone hurt my loved ones. I'm speaking of some of the horrible things that have happened such as the Charleston church shootings and the church members "forgiving" the shooter. Truthfully, I could not have and wonder if that's even possible?
I hope so much that each one of these problems you're facing clear up soon. It all sounds so complicated.
Mr. Molly–how I chuckled at that name!
When I picked Mr. Molly from the side of the road, brought him home and was preparing a warm meal, he started climbing up my leg. I yelled, "GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY…STOP!" Months later when he went to vet to be "fixed", vet said, "Um, you do know this is a male, right?" I grinned and said, "Well, in my defense I HAVE been a widow for a number of years." So, Miss Molly became Mr. Molly and he was neutered at the same time.
Not returning phone calls, e-mails or texts? For that long a period of time? If he's not gravely ill, that's just tremendously rude. It takes a minute to return a text or e-mail at the very least.
Holding on to anger/bitterness/resentment toward someone else is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Forgiveness is actually a gift we give ourselves in the end.
He brought my sewing machine last week so he's not ill. I don't know what to think about him but if it keeps up, I'll call the sheriff.
Yes, to not forgiving but it takes us all different times, different ways to forgive. The success is in the trying and not holding on.
How difficult it must be when calls are not returned, and you are waiting for ages. Hope it soon resolves itself.
It is so I've resolved to pray for them every time they come to mind. That should work wonders, eh?! lol
Sure do love your
Sabbath Keeping – Forgiveness . . .
Each and every word . . .
And the musings from you at the end.
Now why has that man not gotten back with you, returned calls.
Wonder if something happened to him! Isn’t this the truth!
When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but you sure do change the future."
~ Bernard Meltzer ~
Happy Valentines Day Sandra . . .
I have tried this recipe and it is YUM!
Wish I could bring you some Heart Bars . . .
******
Old World Raspberry Bars
2½ cups flour
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup butter, softened
1 Egg
10 oz jar of raspberry preserves. (Hero or Bonne Maman brand)
Heat oven to 350°
In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except raspberry preserves.
Beat at low soeed, scraping bowl, often, untilwell mixed, (2-3 minutes)
Reserve 1½ cups of mixtutpre, set aside.
Press remaining mixture into a greased 8×8 sqyare baking pan.
Spread preserves to ½” from edge.
Crumble reserved 1½ cup of mixture over the preserves.
Bake for 40-50 minutes until lightky browned.
Cool completely, cut into sqyares or heart shapes.
Can substitute preserves with another favorite.
Lynne, I've a church meeting coming up and was tapped for dessert. Yours looks wonderful, thanks!
Oh, bother! I hope it all comes together soon. Waiting is so hard and when people don't communicate . . . ack!
I love this: Isaiah 46:4, 9
Wonderful verse, thanks!
Oh dear, I do hope things that need to come together will and that promises made will be kept.
Forgiveness is a necessity and a command. Hope your new week is a good one.
Forgiveness is easy…until we're called upon to actually do it. I've done it thousands of times and to the same person who injured me…lol. It's an ongoing business.
I like "Forgiveness is giving up the hope for a better past." Sorry for all the hassles; I do hope people start living up to their responsibilities so you can get unpacked and settled SOON!
You and me both, Michelle!
Hallo, Sandra, this collection is so new! To forgive oneself is the basis to forgive the others. I love this post!
Your cat Mr.Molly is wonderful! And his possessor is the same!
Dori, thank you and forgiveness begins with one. Yes, to forgive ourselves is to begin to forgive others. And, don't rehearse anger…which I sometimes do. -wry smile-