The Past

How many times have I heard “I have to give up all hope of changing the past” A true statement, yet if we are to get better, we cannot leave the mess that alcoholism left behind in our wake. We need to repair as best we can. 

Getting honest, we make the inventory, make the amen and receive the forgiveness that we so desperately need to restore God’s healing flow into our lives. It’s not even that difficult, but usually, we have been stuck there for many years. Our “tires" are deep in the mud and we need help pushing out. This is where our sponsors come to the rescue. 

I was working with a young man a while back. We were doing great until step four rolled up. Didn’t want to get honest, like I said deep in the mud. I hope he is reading this and reconsiders. God’s healing balm of forgiveness waits for him to set things right, for if nothing changes, nothing changes. 

Remember this quote from Jesus… 

“Forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive others who trespass against us” 

Notice the word as. As means to the same degree, amount, or extent, equally. 

I mean the word is FORE-GIVE that means… You go first! 

That’s the way forgiveness works. 

The past still haunts me sometimes, even though I know I have been forgiven. I felt the forgiveness come when I forgave and sincerely apologized for what I had done. You will too. Oh, there were things I did, which I wish I could take back, but alas I cannot. For all of those, I try to work for a living amends and help in situations without getting noticed. I can thank all of you for teaching me that one. 

Yes, going through these weeks of intensive cancer treatment has brought my mortality to the forefront, so I am once again reviewing my past. Looking through that mud one more time for an old dirty glaring mistakes to make right.

Palsm 103::12 "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."

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