Well, Easter is over and we're in a brand new month. Things have been .... IDK....interesting (I decided to stop saying 'crazy' LOL!)
The insurance office I work in has been under renovations, I'm in Nacogdoches, TX house/dog sitting for my son and sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going.
Alas, that's the story of my life since 2009.
Anyway, as you all know, I'm very much a seeker of God and a voracious reader, therefore it's no surprise when I bring a book to your attention.
I must admit, I've never read Mr. Dekker's fiction novels, although I'd heard a LOT about them (I'm sure that'll change in the near future though) but when I first heard of The Forgotten Way, I was intrigued. One thing that's stood out for me from the book is the edict, "love holds no record of wrong."
I'm a firm believer in the power of affirmations and that people will rise to our expectations. Problem is, most of the time, our expectations are based on past performance and experiences instead of what we know these folks are capable of.
This hit home for me in more than one instance with more than one person who I love with all of my heart when I tried writing a page of positive affirmations about them and couldn't!
I found this fact both heart breaking and mind boggling.
That's where The Forgotten Way has struck home.
If I can't find 1 page of positive affirmations around my loved ones then my "love" isn't as unconditional as I thought. My love isn't "holding NO record of wrongs."
My goal is to not only overcome these blocks to love in myself, but hopefully to teach others to do the same.
I hope/plan to do this with prayer and meditation, focusing my heart and mind on their strengths and positive qualities, and yes, writing those down in an affirmative way and to "die" to my old way of thinking, talking and feeling about them.
Isn't this what Jesus did when He looked past the actions and into the heart and offered love, forgiveness and healing?
Hopefully this exercise in Love and holding no record of wrongs will result in my loved ones rising to a new level in their own lives by rising to my new expectations of them.
We'll see!
Did you ever have blocks to love in your relationships? How did you overcome them? I'd love to hear your comments!
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll drop by weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
10 comments:
I'm sure you'll get there, Pam. You're listening with your heart.
Thanks Susan!
A great thought, Pam.
Wow, I love this Pam. I frequently have blocks when people don't rise to my perfectionist expectations. I've been getting a lot of insight from an unexpected place--my Toastmasters' Club. Sometimes I start feeling silently judgmental of other members, but when I see the acceptance and tolerance by others, I'm humbled.
Thanks for sharing this treasure!
Thanks Katie C.
It is always wonderful to have great examples to learn from and extend to others, isn't it Alina?
Thanks for commenting ladies
PamT
I love it when a book challenges me to deeper faith and love! I've seen a lot of ads for The Forgotten Way, but haven't read it. Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
Deep thoughts, Pam. You have fine insights.
This is so desperately needed in a society that has become so easily offended by even the slightest facial expression. The challenge I have is in embracing Jesus' love for me and what it cost Him in order to extend this same measure of grace and love to others. Thanks for sharing, Pam. Any work by Ted Dekker is worth the investment.
Pam, thank you so much for sharing. I know this will sound a bit absurd, but I've learned a great deal about compassion and lovingly looking for the good in others through reading, and even watching, Winnie-the-Pooh. Even as an adult. A A Milne put his finger on something very precious there in his little story. Cheers
I read a LOT of books that challenge me to a deeper faith, Emily. The Forgotten Way is really good.
Thanks Jacqueline, sometimes deep thoughts provoke deeper understanding and sometimes, even deeper questions.
Yeah, Mary, embracing Jesus' love for us can be challenging, but as The Forgotten Way teaches, it is when we understand His deep, compassionate love for us that we can offer that to others.
Not absurd at all Marilyn, I've learned life changing lessons from some of the smallest things...a book, story, conversation, song....that's how God works (IMHO) :-)
Thank you ALL for stopping by!
PamT
Post a Comment