The examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, helps a person hold onto what spiritually nourishes them by looking at what is giving them consolation in their life or causing him desolation. It allows someone to express his gratitude to God for the good stuff and turn to him for solace for the bad stuff. It is quite simple. You simply ask yourself, in the last day/week/month what gave me consolation and what caused me desolation.So, without further ado ...
The Good.
I have two things this week that I am particularly thankful for. First, Spring is here. The Earth is renewed. There are calves in the hay meadow ...
and blooms in the trees ...
Most importantly, I am thankful for my Sunshine. She is an answered prayer. I love her more every day. This is how she makes me feel ...
The bad.
You know that passage in the Lord's Prayer about forgiving our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us? Both halves of that equation are important. Forgiveness may not mean much for those who offend us, but it is meaningful for us. Why does it take so long to learn such simple lessons?
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12 comments:
Oh! yeah it is not too easy to forgive... but trust me, when u do..nothing feels better than that.
:) Wish you and Sunshine beautiful days ahead.
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. Also thank you for your prayers. Your post is very relavant. Forgiving will set us free. He knew it was hard, but He forgave us for our sins. He died for us and He is our soon coming Savior.
Gorgeous.....absolutely gorgeous...
And oh the lessons I've thought were learned that I've gotten another lesson in...
I think it's good that we keep learning. I'd like to think it's refinement and different levels of the same lesson.
*laughing* But that's probably me and my magical mind, eh?
Forgiveness comes easy now a days--until it's about what's done to my child.
*sigh*
Another lesson in the making, no doubt!
I'm such a mom!
Forgiveness is hard for me to achieve. I am a grudge holder big time. Letting go of that sort of anger would be such a relief, but it is soooo hard for me.
I'm happy for you that spring has arrived in your part of your world... is still snowing here... yesterday I decided to plant my summer bulbs right after it snowed. Couldn't wait any longer. It was freezing, but I just had to do it.... I needed to feel the earth.... it was cold! ;)
Is always nice to see you at the house in the roses...
cielo
yes, that "as" we do is a bit of a kicker, isn't it! God definitely knows how to train us to "do unto others as we would have them do unto us" and as He would do unto us... and you gotta love calves and tree blossoms!!! : ) wonderful!
I don't know anyone who doesn't have a problem with Forgiveness. For me, it is easier to forgive someone that I don't know, or don't know well, than to forgive someone who is close to me.
When people hurt us it's a betrayal of trust. And the pain is deeper when someone you should be able to trust hurts you.
But forgiveness is necessary not only for the person who caused the pain but for the person in pain. Until we come to it, we can never be whole again.
And forgiving as Christ did... that's very hard!!
Hi Skeeter!
I don't know who Sunshine is- but I am very happy for you that Sunshine makes you feel like that lovely blossom!
Very thought-provoking post. I have always believed that you cannot carry on loving someone if you are not able to forgive, because we all need to forgive each other all the time. Then I was tested.
You hear of people 'who forgive the person who murdered their only daughter'- or other such stories. When I hear such things, I stand in awe.
Beautiful pictures. I can't wait for the blooms to start here.
As for the trespasses. Its a part of the prayer I've considered myself. And it is difficult to achieve, even understanding the reasoning of it.
Spring has certainly sprung in your neck of the woods. No wonder you are grateful. We are still mired in winter. But I will think on your post and what I feel gratitude for, and what I need solace for.
I think it is about the balance in our lives. It is better to not go around with wicked evil hate in your heart and soul. It is better to forgive and get it out of our system. Sometimes easier said than done...and sometimes I wonder if it was really someone trespassing on me or if I imagined.
It is cold as everything here today, but we got RAIN!! yay!
Beautiful post my dear friend. I'm so happy Spring has settled in your neck of the woods. And forgiveness. That's a tough one, isn't it? I'm dealing with it right now and know I can't go through life feeling this bitter. Not today, but soon, I will let it go and move on.
The comments are wonderful. Isn't it great to have bloggers around who care?
I've tagged you. Come to my blog if you dare! Of course you don't have to participate, but I sure hope you do.
And Cinnamon...Sunshine is his beautiful wife.
Love you guys,
Me
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