Tuesday, January 6, 2009

A New Year...

If ever there was a year I was happy to leave behind at first thought it would have been 2008. In many ways, it was by far my hardest so far. And then upon reflection, I think back with my rose colored glasses (I'm known to wear them more often than not) and find much more good than where my first thoughts took me. 2008, was a year that changed me. I was sad, hurting, and broken...but I was also strong, deep and courageous. I traveled, I worked, I mothered, I laughed, I loved and was loved, I cried, I moved, I forgave and was forgiven. There were many days when it felt like "it only hurts when I breath" and other days where something (most often my children) took my breath away. My year started with me leaving Erik and ended with me finding that there isn't anyone else in the world I would ever want to love. If I had to take one thought with me into a New Year (any new year really) it would be to forgive. I have always felt maybe it came eaiser to me than to others...but maybe because I have always felt that when I needed forgiveness how horrible it would be to be denied it. One of my favorite verses from the last year was Lamentations 3:22,23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23.they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”



Some other quotes I thought were good...



We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr


We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends. ~Sir. Francis Bacon


The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~Mahatma Gandhi


Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget that we forgave. ~Ivern Ball


"If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive"
“People ask me what advice I have for a married couple struggling in their relationship. I always answer: pray and forgive. And to young people from violent homes, I say pray and forgive. And again even to the single mother with no family support: pray and forgive”. ~ Mother Teresa

4 comments:

The Erdmann Family said...

I wish I could be as forgiving as you. You are a wonderful person. So glad to see you so happy!

Dave and Debbie Black said...

Amazing...moving...beautiful! This touched me so much. We are so proud of you and we love you all to the moon and stars!

one blessed mama said...

cher.
you have a gift of writing, just like your baby brother! thank you for your words! i love the 'breathing' line.oh, i've felt that emotion one too many times! i just may have to steal that line and post it one my blog someday!! :) i'm so excited to have another blog to follow!!! i check blogs almost every day so remember, people ARE looking at it! :)
you can also check out our blog..
www.3littleand2bigliks.blogspot.com

have a great night!
traci :)

Ross and Taya said...

Good post Cher, I'm excited to follow you on the blog. Thanks for doing this because it gives us a glimpse and a vision for what life in Calgary is like. Maybe one day you could upload some pictures of Tim Hortons for me and maybe even write a poem about Canadian Maple donuts and coffee with double double, yum!