March Madness: Day 2

Grieving loss cannot be avoided. There’s a logical procession for getting through the stages after having lost someone you love. It took almost 20 years to finally grieve my mom’s death.

At the time, siblings fought over money and materials, but I didn’t recognize that all of the anger was a sign that everyone was in pain. There was no healing, reconciliation or forgiveness. Everyone just went into their dark corners until eventually we began showing up at each other’s homes or meeting at restaurants.

I share this because today is my mom’s birthday. Since mine was just 9 days later, we combined our celebrations. It was always special to have a March birthday with her.

It’s also why I’ve dreaded this day since she passed. There was never the natural grieving process that unshackled the hurt of loss to allow for the sweet memories of sharing this special month.

Times are different now, and I’m no longer burdened with the melancholy of grief over the untimely passing of my mom. Instead, I can share stories of how she loved us and would get a kick out of this crew that Leah & I have stitched together.

Forgiveness is non-negotiable in the course of life. Actually God demands that unless we forgives others, that He will not forgive us – Pretty powerful stuff right there.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiving others doesn’t condone what they did – It releases you from them and the pain they caused. I had to forgive before I could process the stages of loss.

Is there someone you need to forgive today? Don’t wait – there’s freedom waiting for you in forgiveness.

Happy Birthday, Momma

Do Good,

Scott