As I was cleaning out some old emails I came upon a email from Nov 2013, where someone said to me “The same people you couldn’t stand, deal with and talked about is now the people you befriended?”, to which I would say….TRUE!
Not that I have to, but let me explain. It has been a long, difficult and painful journey from ‘there’ to here. When this all began, God promised me that if Trust and Obey him…Healing & Restoration would come and one of the first set instructions I received from God (after leaving Omaha, Ne) was to cleanse my heart and the only way to do that was to Forgive and ask for Forgiveness. I can honestly say throughout this entire process this was the most difficult part, Forgiving the people that I felt destroyed my life (to include the person who write the email) and the Humility of asking forgiveness from the people that I had hurt (knowingly and unknowingly). Yes, I did challenge God. I could not understand how I was suppose to do this while still in a broken state myself. My life was still in shambles. I was publicly humiliated, called a liar and falsely accused. My heart was broken into a million pieces. My life was gossip and topic of conversation at the local hair salons, barber shops and other gathering places and God wanted me to Forgive and further humiliate myself by Asking Forgiveness? But God’s instructions never changed. So the process began, some people accepted my “olive branch” and some didn’t and I’m OK with that. I had to learn to forgive without getting a apology. Some people called me crazy, a sell out, a suck up and in the email I was called “a manipulator” but I call it Obedience!!!
Because of that obedience, I am now at a better place in my life and moving forward. Not only physically (Florida) but relational & spiritually. I now know that in order for God to Heal & Restore Me, I had to get rid of the clogs that were stopping & blocking the process. The clogs that were within me that I was using to remain a victim of my circumstance. The clogs of Blaming Others, Bitterness, Unforgiveness and Hatred. I can say that with God’s help, I have forgiven & released everything in to his hands. Some people/things were more difficult to release than others & Believe me, I still have a LONG way to go but I am now on a continual path of Healing, Restoration & Reconciliation. I have Peace & am attempting to live at Peace with everyone, Past & Present. As I have said before…”People don’t have to be our Friends but they don’t have to our Enemies Either”.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” ~ Romans 12:18 (NIV)
livingbeneathhisshadow 
Absolutely love it. You make life happen because of your intentional obedience to Him. Growing pains are so good for growth…. xoxo
LikeLike
Yes, they are Shannon..Yes They Are!
LikeLike
Yes he has brought you a mighty long way from seeing you Sunday after Sunday hurting and I was hurting for you and crying at night asking GOD how did they get there she loved him so much remember when we went and eat on my birthday all I won’t to do was grab you and start crying because I love you both so much I may not said it often but I truly love you I know you not a first lady anymore but you will always be my first lady so if I said anything wrong please forgive me because I truly love you
LikeLike
No, Ronnie you have not said anything wrong. Yes, I remember that day very well (Joe’s Crab Shack), where we both avoided the conversation. I too wondered how we had gotten to the place but now I know & the Truth will always be revealed. I love you for always loving us “all” unconditionally. You are Family….❤️
LikeLike
I have admired you through this entire valley of your life you handled this with such grace by taking the high road. I luv you for your unwavering faith and steadfastness.
LikeLike
Nobody but Jesus Denise. Like they say “if it had not been for the Lord on my side” thing could have went totally different. LOL! Please continue to pray for me & my children. 🙂
LikeLike
Amen! Stay blessed!
LikeLike
The only way to do that Wanda is to stay in his will & I don’t know any other way. 🙂
LikeLike
I always love to hear from you because God gives you the words to touch the situation past or present and we can deal with it and come out as pure gold if we follow his plan.
LikeLike
Too God be ALL the Glory Ella-Louise. I made a promise to God to tell my story as he leads me & I’m doing just that. I love you Lady. ❤️
LikeLike
Lol, ☀️Traci, maybe I should of read this before yesterday, but I have no regrets. Anywho, you’re so right about understanding you won’t always get the apology you are owed, he hurt me and never apologized, but I had to forgive him. It’s not easy, but necessary. I’m proud of you for being obedient, I’m still a work in progress. Love you! Keep on rising above all the things you’ve been through! Gods got your back!!❤️🙏😊
LikeLike
Hey Gena, I saw your FB post.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
It’s difficult at times because just when you think things have died down…stupidity raised its head but I choose to stay focused on my forward progress to BETTER! Thank you for being you. You already know, I’ve got nothing but love for you. 🙏🏽😘😊
LikeLike
All I can say is wow!! The fact that God can use one situation to help someone else get through a whole different situation!! I thank HIM for that! We may not be close but I appreciate the fact that we have stayed in contact over these years. Truth of thematter is your blogs, words of encouragement, your wisdom and your love for God has encouraged me to keep pressing through and to give everything that is hindering to the Lord. Forgiveness is hard! But thank you for reminding me that it has to be done!
LikeLike
Too God be ALL the Glory Nita. Yes, forgiveness is one of the most difficult processes we face but it necessary for US! It’s the segway to moving forward. No, we may be close or talk everyday bit please know that I love you & pray for you often. 🙂
LikeLike
Bless you, Traci. Your transparency just helped to free a lot of us who experienced public church pain! As the Lord blessed Job double for his troubles, may HE bless you real good too! Aren’t you glad Ja’Ton connected us? I am. Be blessed. Love you my sister!
LikeLike
Thank You WOG… I received that Karen. 🙂 Yes, I too praise God for my lil sister’s wisdom to cross our paths…it was not a coincidence. Love You Back!
LikeLike