Divine Grace - The Gift of Forgiveness

An Open Letter in Extension of Divine Grace - A Christmas wish for all.

Dear Friends and Readers, This is my Christmas wish for you …

"May you always find the Grace in your heart to be forgiving, for it is by Divine Grace that we are forgiven in the eyes of God."

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Grace is a little understood concept in Christianity - if we waited until people deserved to be forgiven for their misdeeds, there would be little forgiveness in the world at all.  Grace offers forgiveness at no cost to the individual being forgiven; hence we forgive the debt they "owe" for their trespasses and set them free.  Forgiveness frees us because we are no longer looking back in anger or holding on to grudges or resentment surrounding the individual who harmed us.  Instead, we choose to live in Divine Grace, and extend undeserved grace to our enemies or perpetrators.  

I have found that after a period of time mulling over someone's offenses, if no suitable act of contrition or apology is forthcoming, then I must actively work to extend the grace of forgiveness.  The most effective way I have found to do this is to sincerely pray for the health and well being of the offending party, and summon gratitude for their positive characteristics.  In quiet meditation I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to redeem all offending acts as forgiven and then bless the offender.   I do this in the conscious knowing that we ALL fall short of perfection and because we are human, we err and make blunders and mistakes.  But for the Grace of God, there go I.

I have had some truly powerful results with this simple formula.  I have seeded peace in others and found an inner peace I did not know was possible.  I have grown in my inner capacity to love unconditionally and give without expectations, all because I have found this inner peace and tranquility is the substance of true miracles.  And in the process, I AM HEALED.

May the Light of Divine Grace be bestowed on you as my Christmas gift, and may you find the peace we all desperately yearn for as your constant companion.  May you forgive and be forgiven, and be blessed!  Happy Holidays my friends!

All Content Copyright 2019 LLCC  (originally published 12/16/19, pre-Covid 2020)

It's Really All About You. No Excuses.

Focus on Reality.  You Can Only Ever Change You.

The current social and political climate has become violent and toxic.  The fighting and the angry rhetoric have to STOP, folks. It ALL SOLVES NOTHING. Posting defamatory Biden posts, hate Trump posts only says that you're interested in creating constant negative chaos and fear. NO ONE EVER CHANGED THEIR MIND BECAUSE YOU BEAT THEM SENSELESSLY ABOUT THE HEAD AND FACE with angry rage and attacks.

What have you done today to make the world a BETTER PLACE, instead of seeing everyone who disgrees with you as the enemy?

I am FED UP with all the political infighting, especially in Congress. Our most trusted institutions play patty-cake with our lives like 2 year olds on the playground fighting over the next one on the slide.

Violence is violence, no matter what form it takes, and it is wrong, wrong, wrong. If you are posting Hate Memes it is wrong. Hate speech is wrong. If it's violent, then it's NOT a protest.

The POTUS is just as guilty as Nancy Pelosi. Period. NO EXCUSES.

I wake up every day and ask God to Forgive ME. That's right, me. Forgive me when my Ego runs wild. Forgive my past misdeeds. Forgive my short comings. My defects of character. Forgive my inability to forgive myself or others when I am angry, hurt, or scared. I ask for forgiveness when I do stupid things, say stupid things.

And then I ask for help. Because I understand one very basic thing about life. See, it's not about you, it's about ME. How am I going to choose to live in this short space I have here, this life? I cannot change one single person in this world, but with God's help, I can change me, who I am, who I WANT TO BE.

And this has made all the difference, God has given me a peace beyond all understanding, and fortitude to persevere in this tumultuous time. A space to bring love and joy to my elderly father, and peace to my neighbors and friends.

So... I invite you to try something different. Focus on what's wrong with YOU, instead of everybody else. Fix that, and see what's happens. Focus on gratitude, and what's right about the people around you. I guarantee you will make miracles.

All Content Copyright LLCC