I’m deep in the middle of writing my next book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding Freedom from Forgiveness.
My favorite writing place is tucked under a stairwell at a local university. It’s dark. Comfy. A leather chair next to a window where a squirrel often scampers while I write.
As I wrote I felt that familiar nudge. You know, the one that says “I want your attention.”
I paused, my fingers on the keyboard.
Have you forgiven it all, Suzie?
Yes, Lord, I have.
Look again.
This time I looked with the light of the Holy Spirit playing in the shadows of my heart and thoughts.
And there it was.
An area that I believed was healed. An area I would have told you was put to rest a long time ago.
And yet. . .
an area where I still felt pain if I think about it.
So I don’t.
Let me have that. . .
Tears welled up, thankful for the darkness of my little writing cave.
I will never have all the answers, but I do know that forgiveness set me free once and it continues to offer me the choice to live with an unburdened heart.
To experience life unshackled.
I’m thankful for a God who loves us enough to dig deep into those hidden areas with His love.
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (The Message)
Forgiving ourselves does not come easy because often we don’t realize that we need forgiveness. I’m looking forward to reading your book when it is released. I read several blogs each day, but yours ALWAYS resonates with me in a unique way. Thank you. 🙂
Thank you, Rach. You just made my day.
I’ve been working on the timeline Renee Swope suggests doing in her book, Confident Heart, and it’s helping to show me where I still need to forgive. I look forward to reading your book. I’m a new follower and always look forward to reading what Gad has placed on your heart to share. Thank You.
The power of and lessons on forgiveness are touched by grace. Only God could teach us the free for freedom’s sake meaning of it. I can’t wait to see what the Spirit leads you to share in your new book.
FYI: I commit to hosting a book club chat on this one. I KNOW it will help many. I will be praying for you, this work, and for the hearts that will be healed as a result of this ministry effort.
Hugs and Blessings,
Kim
hi Suzie, thank you for sharing a ‘preview’ on your upcoming book. forgiveness is a very powerful thing. I have been without a job for almost 2yrs now and when really allowing the Holy Spirit to shine in all the corners of my heart, forgiveness(of past things) is one of the things i need to do to completely experience freedom in Christ Jesus. I have been in a prison, shackled and not even aware of it. It took just one incident to resurface all that i thought was resolved. Thank u for the challenge to live with an unburdened heart. Please pray for me to use this time to both forgive and heal whilst i wait for God’s awesome plans to happen in my life.
Always trust & stay close to Him,
Thato
Father, I pray for Thato, for not just provision for a job, but also provision already provided for a heart that is not tied to the past or to an event or to a person, but only tied to You and all that You have for Thato. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.
Kim, I’d love that. You bless me girl. So glad you come by to hang out from time to time. Love it!