I awake on this cool, crisp December morning and begin my daily routine. First, I let Micah out to the backyard then I feed Luna, Sophia, and Arthur, the family felines. With everyone happy and settled, I sit for my time of prayer. After prayers, I indulged in several regular inspiring readings, followed by a time for contemplation. I spend a few moments journaling my reflections of the morning then I fill the tea kettle and place it on the stove. As my morning tea brews, I begin my forgiveness practice. I write I completely and lovingly forgive __________. (wouldn’t you just love to know who or what I am forgiving?).
Today is the seventh day of this process around what I am currently forgiving and I still feel a bit of energy around it. A sense of being unsettled and incomplete remains within me. After six days, I have not completely let go of the feelings and thoughts. I seem to be resistant and I am hanging on to the remnants of what wishes to be forgiven. After writing this statement four or five times, I pause and lay down my pen, As I raise my head, before me sits my tea cup with steam rising and evaporating into the air. Right before my eyes, columns rise and disappear and rise only to disappear again. Again, and again the steam floats into nothingness.
I begin to feel quite relaxed and at ease as I watched the steam rise. I don’t recall a time I have sat for this long a time simply watching steam rise. On this day, it has my full attention. Of course, I have noticed steam rising from my cup each morning when I make my tea, I hear the kettle whistle signaling that my water is hot and ready. Yet I have never sat this mindfully and watched it. What a lovely lesson I observe.
I return to writing my forgiveness statement writing and allow everything in my thoughts to rise and evaporate. I let the hurt feelings rise and vanish too. I allow them to rise and just as quickly dissolve into nothingness. With that, I feel complete with forgiving all that I need to forgive around this experience. “Impressive” I think, by watching steam rise, I am able to quickly forgive and let go of this experience that I have been working with for six whole days. I sit fascinated by the natural process of water becoming steam and evaporating, I learn yet a bit more about forgiveness.
That’s the irony about forgiveness. It can be instantaneous or it can take seven days or seven years. Each time I engage my practice of forgiveness around a person or experience, I acknowledge a new depth or a different aspect to navigate. I continue this process until there is nothing remaining to be forgiven. For me, when I feel gratitude for the experience, I know my forgiveness is complete. Sometimes I am able to deeply forgive and move to gratitude quickly, even in what seems like an egregious experience of hurt. Sometimes what seems simple, takes a longer time to fully forgive and move to gratitude.
This is the time of year we observe and celebrate Advent. It is when we ready ourselves for the Advent gifts of Faith, Peace, Love and Joy, that we fully prepare our hearts for forgiveness. The invitation is for us to engage a practice of forgiveness that empties us of old hurts, resentments or anger and makes a cavernous space in us to fully receive and become the Christ that is born as us. Colossians 1:27 “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Sunday is a great day to arrive at Unity extra early! The Dallas Marathon runs through our neighborhood. Don’t let that keep you away. We will gather early (I will be at Unity by 7:30 am). Bring a brown bag breakfast to enjoy and at 8:45 we will begin “Contemplate this…” it will be a fun time of gathering and sharing.
AND…don’t forget the annual Christmas Concert “A Wonderful Christmas Time” begins at
5 pm. Intermission goodies provided by Raina Weldon. It’s a day you won’t want to miss.
Blessings of Peace,