Saturday, November 23, 2013

Around the fire...a new beginning

 
 

 
We gathered and sat together as we so often do. These days it seems with early rising toddlers and sleepy teens from a late hockey game the timing has become tricky!
 But I try...

Often I begin with the regular routine and wait for the 'best' time to gather the brood to pray, read, journal and well just be sitting together, slowing down. Lately, as I just explained to some HS dear friends, I admitted that I knew I had been reminded to leave things in God's hands. I heard many times that there were things in my home that were a result of my doing that needed to be 'burned' so to speak. I have heard the message countless times and over many years. Let go of anger.
 
 I built a fire, I took a deep breath. I cut up strips of paper and and said write out those things that burden you, the sins in your life that hold you. Write it down, don't show anyone and throw it in the fire. That's it..plain and simple. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven, so we wrote it down and asked for forgiveness. I wrote down one ( I have many) but the focus was simply one sin to burn, ANGER. I cried (shocker!) but I wrote it, crumpled it and burned it. I was also quick to remind them that I would be asking for forgiveness again. Sad, but true. I wanted them to know how desperately I wanted to rid myself of this habit. It has become that in my home. I see it in me and my kids. I let it go, gave it to our loving, forgiving Father and said - I am sorry, pleas forgive me. They sat quiet, but with me, forgiving me....oh how thankful I am for these children.
 
 
 
Like a new bud on a Japanese maple....is forgivness




 
The sound of a sparkling, rushing creek..is forgiveness

 
Spring came while the fire burned and the cold brushed against the windows.
 
Fresh and new...forgiven.