Friday, April 8, 2011

The Grudge


Today I sat at the park with my youngest child and a couple of nephews. Trios are difficult because someone usually gets left out. These three usually play well together because they know the ‘be mean to one’ thing doesn’t fly. But sometimes, like today, a fist is thrown or someone is pushed. My son happened to be the one doing the pushing so had a little time out where we talked about choices and making things right.

After talking to me he went to play (I did have to remind him to take care of business before playing). He happily approached the other child and said he was sorry and gave him a hug. By this time, not two minutes after the incident, all was forgotten and they all returned to playing together.

Switch scenes to adults. A woman I know has harbored a grudge for nearly thirty years. It has ruined many relationships and, I believe, her own life. I do not know all of the specifics, but I do know it was more than a push on a playground. Has it been worth it? The torment she has put herself through by not forgiving. The pain she has caused many family members? The emptiness her life has become? How different would her life have been if she had been ‘as a little child’?

Forgiving isn’t always easy and sometimes we cannot do it alone. No matter how hard we try. I ran into this a number of years ago, trying and trying to forgive what I felt was an offense against me. No matter how hard I tried to let it go, it continued to eat away at me. Finally realizing that I needed help, I laid my burden at Christ’s feet and begged for help. You know how the story ends. Peace filled me and I was able to forgive. This was a blessed experience in my life and a testimony to me that my Heavenly Father loves me…flaws and all.

So my question to you is: Are you holding a grudge? If you aren’t, you are a step ahead. If you are, I challenge you to lay your burden at His feet and find the peace that only He can bring. And from now on, remember we are all his children, let us be kind to each other.

6 comments:

  1. This was beautiful! I told my daughter the same thing. She was eaten up with disgust for her father for abandoning us--filled with hatred. I told her that her hatred was destroying her relationships with men. When she learned to give her burden to the Lord, she was able to let it go and allow the hatred to ooze away, leaving her a new life--free.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a beautiful story Heidi. Thank you for sharing it. Freedom is a wonderful thing and an appropriate way to describe what happens when we let go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it's no accident that someone almost always speaks on this topic at General Conference. I think it's a very prevalent problem and definitely can tarnish ones relationship with everyone, even our Heavenly Father. Beautiful post, Peggy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Peggy, This is a wonderful lesson to learn. I've had many occasions to use this principal, and it's always good to have reminders. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a great lesson, Peggy. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you everyone for your sweet comments.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment!

Book Sale!

Need some sweet romance to sigh your way through the holidays? Here you go: Merry Christmas and happy wishes for however you celebrate!