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Source: Unknown |
Just before I left Kenya
after serving there as a missionary for six years, another missionary
“stretched” some things I told her in confidence. She carried the stories to
Bud, the head of our organization. Bud and I had strong words on the night our
plane left.
I felt misunderstood and
betrayed. Making the situation worse, Bud repeated those stories to a number of
African leaders. Even though I prayed regularly to forgive them, I built up a
grudge.
Years passed before I could
release the pain.
Most of us have those
types of experiences of being deeply hurt and holding on to the agonizing
emotions. Once we can finally forgive, internal peace fills our hearts.
Most of us also experience
another kind of letting go—releasing the nostalgic joys of what used to be.
They remain powerful in our memories, which make us unable to move in new
directions.
My late wife, Shirley, has
now been dead for six years. I’ve dated a few times since then, but I realized
I wasn’t ready to let go of the relationship with Shirley. I thought of her
every day and often spoke to her (even though I don’t believe she was able to
hear me).
A few weeks ago, I had a
dream in which we held hands, but she seemed to be floating upward and away
from me. She smiled, released my hand, and disappeared.
After I awakened, I knew I
had finally let go. That freed me from the sentimental-but-joyful past. These
days, I feel a deep peace that says I’m open to whatever new adventures life
has in store for me.
Letting go—releasing the
joy or the pain—is part of our growth.
Cecil Murphey is a Christian author, speaker and
teacher.
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