here I was doing the mundane task of cleaning the bath when it happened. An overwhelming feeling of guilt and a desperate need for forgiveness overtook me. This time I couldn’t get away from it. It was too strong to dismiss as I had before. This was it! Crunch time!

It had been niggling away at me for weeks. Perhaps I shouldn’t have done it but it was too late now. What is done can’t be undone and, anyway, it is considered perfectly acceptable in this day and age; not a sin at all.

But I couldn’t get away from the guilt. Now here I was on my knees; what do I do?

"Please God, I’m really sorry." (He waits. I try again.)"Please God, I repent of this sin. Please forgive me." (Pause, while I decide that I really did mean what I said.) Then a feeling of utter love, forgiveness and acceptance flooded through me. I will never forget it! I just knew that God had accepted my prayer and forgiven me. No more guilt - just peace. Finished!! Not only was that issue dealt with but it gave me the confidence to go before God on subsequent occasions without fear. He loves me and wants only the best for me. Often my actions get in the way of what’s best for me and God has to put it right and get me back on track. Thank You Father!

FORGIVENESS
He’d hurt me deeply
And she’d spoken harshly.
How could I stop the pain?
I resolved never to talk to them again.
Me forgive? Don’t be silly.
It should be them asking forgiveness of me.

But if I saw them or heard their name,
There was the anger
Rising up inside me.
I was still hurting!
It affected the way I spoke to others.
It affected the way I lived;
It ate at my soul,
Gnawing away.

Forgiveness is an act of will.
Anyone can do it.
No-one ever said it was easy,
But it can be done.
It made no difference to them
When I finally forgave,
But me!

A lightness of spirit.
No more gnawing.
I moved on in freedom.

Rosemary

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