Chapters of FORGIVENESS
This is shared by someone who wishes to remain anonymous but wants to share something very meaningful and relevant to everyday life. You may not be struggling with the same addiction, but we all have a need forgiveness and the Grace of our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.
Hello, I am an alcoholic. There I said it. OK, you may take a breath now. For many years, I, too, was much like many of you reading this when I would hear the word "alcoholic" or others like it I would have negative thoughts; however, my perception and understanding of those words have changed completely over that past several months. You see, in the beginning, I didn't think I had a problem nor did I ever imagine it could possibly happen to me. Then once I was forced to face it, I believed just admitting I was an alcoholic was enough, but that is only a crawl in comparison to the steps necessary for walking.
The established program AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) does state admission is the first step in the 12-step recovery program. I do agree that before one can begin to recover recognition and admittance of the problem is necessary. AA has touched many lives, and I have witnessed through my recovery some of those who are benefiting greatly from following the 12-step program. For myself, I have taken a different approach to the 12-step program - the FORGIVENESS program of recovery. Now, for those of you who have stopped reading or listening to go and count the letters, you will find that there are only 11 letters. I will explain how these 11 letters turn into 12 steps I have used in my recovery.
F - First. I am. I can. I will.
O - Open ended.
R - Ready to Receive.
G - Gift.
I - Intended.
V - Valuable.
E - Extra. Extra. Extra.
N - Newness.
E - Even Now.
S - Special.
S - Share Your Story - Someone, Somewhere, Someday.
First, I am. I am forgiven. The wonderful thing is that before I even began writing my story of recovery, I was forgiven by God, the "I AM". He had been patiently waiting for me all along. It was not instantaneous for me to open my heart, but when I did, I received His forgiveness and my story truly began. I am forgiven. I can forgive. Forgiveness is not just from God, it also is from within ourselves. I can forgive myself and begin to live a sober life, the one God intended for me. Once I forgive myself, I can then forgive others. I will forgive. Forgiving is a conscience choice. The definition of forgiveness is "to stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone or something) for an offense, flaw or mistake". Only we can choose to stop beating ourselves up for our past mistakes, and only then can we understand how to let go of the wrong doings of others. God does not keep a record of what we have done or what we should have done. He only requires us to accept His forgiveness through surrender and look within ourselves to find the peace He gives in letting go of our past and looking toward the future with hope.
Open Ended. The forgiveness we receive is open ended. God forgives us so that we may find the peace and hope necessary to forgive ourselves, and in turn show others the forgiveness that has been granted to us. Forgiveness is open to all, and it does not end with only one time. We are not perfect individuals, so forgiveness is something we find necessary at many times in our lives. It does not have an expiration date or "over the limit" cut-off. Forgiveness does allow us to cancel the old accounts and open new ones, and unfortunately, we sometimes transfer the "funds" from the old accounts to the new ones. Forgiveness is still open to those times when we need to maybe stop payment on another check.
Ready to receive. We must open ourselves up to receive the fullness of the forgiveness available to us. The preparation for this receipt of forgiveness can be difficult, as we must surrender and become vulnerable. It is uncomfortable as we examine within ourselves those acts or flaws for which we need to be forgiven. Once we have identified those areas, it is important to confess those and recognize the hurt and pain it has caused. This process can be very emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually draining, but it is crucial to fully being ready to receive the forgiveness of God, ourselves and others.
Gift. Forgiveness is most definitely a gift. One that comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. It is wrapped in love, grace and peace. The gift may not always be pretty on the outside or even easy to open, but once it is, it is the most beautiful thing you have ever experienced.
Intended. When you give a gift, it is intended for someone or something. It may be a material gift (money, clothes, jewelry), or it may be intangible (time or love), but it always is given with a purpose. The same is true for forgiveness. It is a gift intended for you and I. God sent His only Son to die on a cross so that we might experience and "open" this gift intended for each and every one of us.
Valuable. As I have touched on, forgiveness does come at a high price, surrender and admittance of wrongs. Being honest about our past can be costly, but the value of forgiveness far outweighs the cost of shipping on the package of addiction. Not only is the value of forgiveness too great to fathom, but the receiver is also then given something that makes them valuable.
Extra. Extra. Extra. The gift of forgiveness is very special because it holds within it many extra gifts. Not small gifts and not all at once, but numerous and varied in size. With one gift, you may receive the extra grace you need. The next may be the extra love, or the extra peace, or the extra joy, or maybe just the extra something you cannot even describe. Whenever you open the valuable gift of forgiveness, you can rest assured that many more gifts of blessings will follow. More of God's promises and ways to show you once again you are forgiven.
Newness. God's mercies and gifts are new every morning. Forgiveness is new each and every time. A new sense of freedom from the old tarnished and overdrawn account. All debt is cancelled and a new start lays ahead. A gift that may have been forgotten behind the tree but has been wrapped with such care and still looks brand new. A gift of knowing all is in the past and a new, clean and clear path awaits you.
Even Now. Forgiveness is given even now. Even now after all the mistakes you or I have made in the past, it is still waiting to be opened. Part of the painful process is letting go of the guilt and shame. Thinking we are not worthy or good to enough to receive such a valuable gift. Even now, we are forgiven. Even now, after all the drinks taken, drugs used and sold, lies, deceit, hiding, hurting, scheming and everything else, we are given an intended, valuable gift... forgiveness. We are worth being loved and forgiven, even now.
Special. The gift of forgiveness is very special because it is just for you. Yes, forgiveness is open to everyone, but there is a specially wrapped gift with your name on it only. Everyone goes through the recovery process in a different way; therefore, each gift of forgiveness is unique in its size, shape and color depending on the person. God loves each of us no matter what, but His grace and forgiveness is different for everyone because God meets us where we are at that time, and not everyone is at the same place at the same time. God will meet you where you are, and this is why forgiveness is so special. We don't have to do anything special to deserve it... just being there to receive it.
Share your story. Someone, Somewhere, Someday. You see, the gift of forgiveness is special to you, but it is a gift to be shared with others. The intended gift for you is also intended for others. Once we receive and understand forgiveness, we are vessels by which the gift of forgiveness may be shared with others. There is an abundance, so there is no need to worry about not having enough. The cost to you is minimal other than to reflect on a time you needed forgiveness, and it was given to you. You may have been hurt in the past by others, but we have hurt those we love with our addictions. Isn't it time to stop feeling anger or resentment towards others & yourself for mistakes and flaws? Receive the gift of forgiveness. Then, give the gift of forgiveness, and I guarantee you will receive a much greater gift in the end.
First, I am giving you a gift to open. I do hope you are ready to receive it. It is intended just for you. It is of great value and has many extra gifts within. It is new for you, even now after all these years of waiting for you. It is very special, and I hope you share your joy and excitement with someone, somewhere, someday.
Now, I have covered the 11 letters (steps) of my recovery story, and here is the 12th. Do not let the story end here. The chapter of forgiveness is only the first in my recovery story. The 12th step will continue throughout my life and thereafter. I can only pray that when my time does end, it will be with great joy that I have shared the gift of forgiveness in the last chapters of my life. Until then, my book of recovery and forgiveness will continue to grow. I already have many chapters written, but the next one begins like this...
Hello, I am a child of God and I am a FORGIVEN ALCOHOLIC. Would you like to hear my story? And the next chapter begins...
Add comment
Comments