Friday, October 9, 2009

Forgiveness




















"Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 The Message

Many of you know, I have been plagued with allergies lately. Some days are bad and yesterday was one of them. Unfortunately, my family suffers along with me. I was miserable no matter what I did.

My day began in prayer. I then spent a little time reading blogs and trying to find encouragement. The many Thankful Thursday posts touched my heart.

My day was full, even though I did not feel like doing anything. My hubby's truck needed to be dropped off with the mechanic and picked up later in the day. He also had a few errands he wanted to take care of before we could go home. Doug is a wonderful husband and prefers for us to do things together. He enjoys having me with him.

Then there is homeschooling. We only have one child left at home. He is the easiest of all five. Wil has a tender heart and has given us NO problems up to this point. I cherish our time with him. He makes parenting easy.

By now you are probably saying, "What's the problem? Sounds like a great day." Well, it would have been, but my attitude was horrible. I did not enjoy any of it and that oozed from my being. At one point, Doug said, "you are cranky" and he was right. I was even cranky with the dogs.

I awoke at 3 am this morning thinking about forgiveness. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and child who forgive me, but I am even more blessed to have a Heavenly Father who recognizes my weaknesses, loves me fully, and forgives "ALL" my sins.

Clearly, I am a work in progress.

Blessings and prayers,

andrea
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35 comments:

  1. GaiaOctober 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM

    Hi Andrea, I too am a work-in-progress. I appreciate my family for their tolerance when I get grumpy for no apparent reason and I hate myself when I can't control my anger. I am grateful and blessed to have them. Blessings to you.

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  2. Lori Stanley RoeleveldOctober 9, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Thanks for being real, Andrea. It's best to bring our attitudes to God and get really changed than to try to fake our way through.
    God bless!

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  3. penguinsandladybugsOctober 9, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Forgiveness is hard for us to really grab a hold of...thanks for your thoughts! Yeah, I am a work in progress as well :)

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  4. Kelly SextonOctober 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    I can relate to that, the revelation that I could choose my own thoughts changed everything! ( take ever thought captive)When I am in that mode I purposefully choose to think positive Thoughts. Joyce Meyer said it well "Stop thinking about the one or two things that you did wrong and start focusing on the 100 things that you did right that day" this hit me and I started doing it and realized I had sooooooooooooooo much to be thankful for.
    Be blessed

    Kelly

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  5. FliteraryOctober 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    God's patience and kindness is beyond human comprehension. I too am so grateful for forgiveness!

    I'm praying that you feel better.

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  6. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    I've been grumpy too... stressed to the max.
    I so get the "I'm a work in progress!" I hope things get better for you soon! Hugs and love!

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  7. He & Me + 3October 9, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    Oh Andrea...I have been there. Thank God for family that loves us inspite of our crankiness. I am so glad that we are blessed with hubbies that will call us out so we can change our attitudes and enjoy life. It is too short to be cranky and yet I fail so often in that area. Thanks for posting this. Praising Him for His forgiveness today.
    Thank you also for leaving sweet comments on the 5 moms blog and my personal blog. I love hearing from you.
    I am now following your blog. You are an encouragement.
    Thanks,
    Mimi

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  8. Heart2HeartOctober 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    Andrea,

    Praying that you feel better soon and you will be yourself once again. I know I am super cranky when I don't feel well. I prefer to be left alone. No apologies to be made later for my bad behavior.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  9. Cathy~Mille FleurOctober 9, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    Oh Andrea...I love that verse!!!

    Thanks for stopping by earler and entering my giveaway...good luck!!!

    Enjoy!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  10. E @ ScottsvilleOctober 9, 2009 at 1:30 PM

    Boy, I hope today is going better for you and you're allergy free! I suffered from allergies horribly as a pre-teen, but luckily outgrew them. Praise God!

    I'm sorry you still have them. *sigh*

    Bless you!

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  11. LorenOctober 9, 2009 at 1:41 PM

    Andrea,

    I'm so sorry you don't feel good! Praise the Lord for sweet and understanding husbands!!! I am praying your allergies go! and your feeling better

    love you dear friend!

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  12. TammyOctober 9, 2009 at 1:43 PM

    I too have days when the least bit of something rubs me the wrong way. Hope you're feeling better today.

    Have a great weekend!

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  13. christy roseOctober 9, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    What a bummer of a day! It will get better! We are all a work in progress! Hope you have a better weekend!
    Christy

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  14. UnknownOctober 9, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    Andrea, thank you for this, especially the scripture. It's a real encouragement to know you. Blessings.

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  15. Eileen Astels WatsonOctober 9, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    I suspect when we stop being a work in progress we won't be much good to God anymore.

    Thanks for the reminder of Forgiveness, I needed that especially today!

    May your weekend be wonderful, Andrea!

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  16. Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19October 9, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    Why have about 2/3 of the blogs or e-mails that I've read today have something to say about forgiveness?

    Yes, yes, I know the answer but I wanted to whine about it anyway!

    :)

    smooches,
    Larie

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  17. Saleslady371October 9, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    I have allergic reactions, too, so I know all about crankiness. Pray that you feel better real soon, dear friend.

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  18. MaryOctober 9, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    Hi Andrea...I don't know if you saw my post with the video of Signature Sound singing "Forgiven Again"...we are always in need of forgiveness. I, too, am a major work in progress. I am sometimes amazed that, at my age, I'm still so far from the woman I want to be. But my God knows who I am, and what I need...He is so faithful to me, to love but to discipline, to give but to take what might hurt my growth...He is a God of forgiveness...we are so blessed.

    Loved your post and your honesty,

    God bless,
    Mary

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  19. ChristinaOctober 9, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    Thank God that He loves us even when we are cranky...and thank Heavens for loving families who accept us as we are!

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  20. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageOctober 9, 2009 at 5:54 PM

    Ah, but we are all a work in progress! Thank the Lord for His loving patience! Thank you for your visit today and your touching comment. Have a lovely weekend, Andrea.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  21. CarolOctober 9, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Andrea,

    Thanks for your openness. I can be such a crankpot that it annoys even me! So thankful for an understanding husband, forgiving children, and an awesome God!

    I am ABSOLUTELY a work in progress and will be until I see Jesus face to face.

    Thank you for all of your sweet and encouraging comments on my blog. You are appreciated.

    Blessings to you,
    Carol

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  22. KarenOctober 9, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    We ALL have these days...so thankful for God's mercy and forgiveness...hope you have a good weekend!

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  23. Nikki (Sarah)October 9, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    you're human Andrea. I have those days too. Glad you're feeling better. Sarah

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  24. RCUBEsOctober 9, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    Hi sister. You're suffering from this nasty allergy, yet you are lifting others up in your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and friendship. I'm praying for you as well. My son is feeling better today. Still weak and tired, but by God's grace, able to eat now and no more headaches. He is good...all the time...Love to you and may you have a great weekend! We are all work in progress!

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  25. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    Stopping by :) YEA! we made it through another week lol :)

    http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww123/deborahbowman/02%20DAY/233bb76ef2ec5e45bffb5f7.gif

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  26. A Mother AlwaysOctober 9, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    We always learn something from our depressions in life be they big or small. I think God puts them there to keep us growing.
    God Bless
    BM

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  27. Deborah AnnOctober 9, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I love your writing style - it's very real and honest!

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  28. UnknownOctober 9, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    Hi there. I'm Michelle. I've been to both of your blogs and I love both. I enjoy reading works of other writers. I'm thankful for God's forgiveness, but I'm really grateful for the forgiveness of my fellow humans, esp family.

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  29. Twincerely,OlgaOctober 9, 2009 at 11:40 PM

    What a beautiful post!I like that you write so real! Love your design too.Please stop by

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  30. MimmyOctober 9, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    Thank you Father that you are patient with me even though You are not finished.

    God Bless,
    Mimmy

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  31. Kelly LOctober 10, 2009 at 1:23 AM

    Great post - I am amazed that God forgives all that I have done... I am so in awe..

    I hope your allergies go away very soon and you can breathe and not be in pain.
    Love to you.
    Kelly

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  32. CharlotteOctober 10, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Hi Andrea,

    Some days are just that! Thankfully tomorrow is another day. Here's some "Random Thoughts to Get You Through The Day" As for me I'm looking for a font called OPPS I shouldn't have Tweeted that!
    http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/10/random-thoughts-from-people-our-age.html


    Have a great weekend,

    Charlotte

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  33. The Red Brick FarmhouseOctober 10, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    Good morning, Andrea~

    I am sorry to hear that yesterday was worse for you. I know that I have not been in the best of moods lately either. When we don't feel well, sometimes it's hard to realize that we ARE being cranky.

    How wonderful it is to have such understanding husbands that love us just the same. How BLESSED we are to have a Heavenly Father who loves us no matter what we may say or do.

    Praying that you will feel better soon!

    Blessings~
    Laura

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  34. LeslieOctober 10, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    Oh Andrea, sometimes I don't know how Eric lives with me, especially when I'm sick or lacking sleep! It's so hard to get through your day when you don't feel well. You must have been cranky for Doug to say something! :-) He seems so laid back!

    God knows where your heart is even when you're grouchy. He understands that life isn't easy even for Christians (or especially for Christians). One day we won't be afflicted with our different maladies and will be able to be with Him and have constant harmony with our loved ones!

    Love ya, Leslie

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  35. CharlotteOctober 12, 2009 at 6:11 PM

    You are blessed indeed. What a darling granddaughter.
    Charlotte

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