Putting Advice To Use!

As I mentioned in my last post, I just finished reading the book "The Shack"! I cannot begin to tell you how much of an impact this has made on me (except for those who have read it too, you know what I mean)! I have found myself making more conscious efforts to put the advice I read in that book to use in my own life! It's not easy....wasn't for the main character in that book either! However, I am trying and to be honest, I do feel different inside about certain things! The one major thing that I took away with me from that book was about forgiveness......you know, when someone has wronged you, it is sooooo hard to forgive! And, as the main character, I think, umm, that person has wronged me and I do NOT want anything to do with them! Well, now I have realized that to live my life in the likeness of Christ, I must forgive others as He forgives me and through that forgiveness, I can receive the ultimate peace in my life BUT there is nothing that says you HAVE to forget what happened and there is nothing that says you HAVE to have any kind of a relationship with the person who wronged you,....just forgive! So, I prayed about it....I prayed hard! God knows my human heart and how stubborn I can be and He also knows how I can carry a grudge.....not going to be an easy job! I have forgiven someone who I felt has wronged me and my heart is lighter feeling!! Really, it is!! I still have more that I need to work on....like I said, God has His job cut out for Him with me! LOL! I also have that stubborn streak that says/thinks "THEY cut my throat, so why should I be the one to forgive?" Well, you know what, ""I"" am the ONLY ONE I can do anything about! I can not change the way anyone else does things, I am the only one I have any control over! Ummm, getting deep isn't it? Well, read "The Shack" and see if it doesn't get deep on you! My ultimate goal at forgiveness will be toward my Dad. There is alot of damage that he caused so it's going to be a hard task, but I am working on it and I honestly feel that I will get there.....soon!

If you are reading this and thinking, "oh, I know how you're feeling" - about the forgiveness issue....and you want to talk about it, comment below or e-mail me personally at starlawhitley@ctc.net! No, I don't have all the answers, I might have SOME, but I have a shoulder to lean on and an ear that will listen! If you are interested in reading "The Shack" and don't want to go out and buy it, let me know and I will loan you my copy! I don't mean to sound so overboard about this book, but it just really touched me and was a true eye opener! I want you to share in that experience as well! Have a blessed day! ~Until Later!