Let me share this

(deactivated member)
on 9/1/08 11:57 pm

Back many years ago, I had a lady in our church who did me wrong. She lied about me to many people, including the pastor. My feelings were hurt and I didn't know what to do. Anyway, people tried to stir me up into confronting her and I almost let them. I got angry and let it begin to start a fire in my heart. I called it righteous indignation. I had done nothing wrong and I couldn't understand why God was allowing this to happen. I prayed and prayed about what to do and how to clear my name but I couldn't get any answers. Everytime I tried to talk bad about Regina, it was like my vocal chords would freeze up and I had to keep my mouth shut. So, I said nothing and did nothing for a long time. One Sunday God spoke to my heart and told me to go to Regina and ask for forgiveness. WHAT???? Why should I do that when I was the one who had been wronged????? Surely this wasn't God telling me to do this. I didn't want to do it - I stomped my feet and told God NO!! God's spirit wouldn't leave me alone. He gently nudged me several times. I am not a mean person. I'm very soft hearted. I can't stand confrontations and would call myself a peace maker. So why didn't I just do what God told me to do?? I started weeping - right up there in the choir loft. It got louder and louder and soon I heard other people weeping. Not quietly crying but loud from the heart weeping. I began to make my way to the other end of the choir where Regina was sitting. My heart was broken and I knew I had to do what God had asked of me. I took Regina in my arms and hugged her tightly and asked her to forgive me for anything I might have done to her. My spirit was broken and I just held her and hugged her. At first she did nothing and that didn't matter. I was obeying God and all the anger, hurt, resentment was being washed away. Soon I begin to feel her body shaking and in another few moments she began to hug me back and as her tears joined mine we were both being washed in the tears of forgiveness. I can't remember ever feeling so free in my life except when I accepted Christ into my heart. The story doesn't end there. That day, the preacher didn't preach. People all over the church began weeping and going to one another and praying for one another. God's annointing was on that service and His refreshing was being poured out on the congregation. I will never forget that Sunday. The day I obeyed God and He healed broken hearts and shattered lives. It was a day of renewing. People were being stirred but not only that - people were being changed.

I forgave but of course, I've never forgotten the incident BUT, I don't remember it with anger or pain. Instead, I remember it as a time of growing and getting past the bitterness. I remember it as a time of obeying and being humble before God. I remember it and hope that I never forget it!!

I love you all,
DebbieDoo