Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s devotion is by Alison Obr. Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
Suicide. A word that is tainted with emotion and stigma in our world today. Last year around this time my family had to deal with the pain and emotion of almost losing a loved one to suicide.
Even now, it is difficult for me to talk about it with the stigma that is associated with this one word. It is impossible to understand the person you love so much would think life is so terrible to just remove themselves from it, but here we are, as many families, facing something we are taught is not Christian.
The anger I had towards my grandmother made it impossible to “bear with her and forgive her.” While I have unconditional love for her, it took me many months to even speak with her. After months of prayer, contemplation, and family counseling, I felt a large presence whispering to forgive and be patient.
The church became my place of comfort and healing and my relationship with God expanded to depths I could never imagine. Forgiveness is the one thing that is so difficult to do and yet we are presented with this time and time again. After I forgave my Grams, I finally was able to rebuild those relationships that existed when I was a child.
Sometimes tragedy happens for a reason and although this is a tragedy, I would never wish for anyone, it has taught me to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient towards those struggling with their own demons in this world. Remember God has chosen you and loves you so completely that everything that happens in our lives is to help open our eyes for those struggling as we are.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to be patient with one another and treat each other with kindness as we look for healing in our own lives. Help us to forgive one another for our actions, as we are not perfect in this life. Teach us compassion and humility to help those struggling in their own lives and lead us to walk with them in their healing. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
February 24, 2012 at 7:11 pm |
Thank you for this timely message, I have praying for words of wsdom to write a eulogy for my brother who faught his demons for many years of alcohol, and is now at peace. I am comforted, inspired, and motivated with each of your daily devotions. Thank you and God Bless you
February 24, 2012 at 11:36 pm |
I hope Gram’s is coping much better now too.
May all who end up in that deep dark slimy pit called depression be lifted up by The Light.
February 25, 2012 at 5:19 pm |
Thanks you for sharing your story. I have come to realize after many years thar we all have stories that involve the struggle to forgive. I also know sometimes the hardest thing to do is verbalized the hurt which can be the first step in forgiveness. May God bless you and your Grams