Elephants, majestic, loveable, gentle beasts, are tamed by cruel means I hate reading about in Thailand, principally, in Nepal, in India and in Malaysia.
A common trick, less cruel than the others though, is this. The elephant is initially chained to a tree with heavy chains. Later, however, the mahouts don’t bother to attach the chain to the tree. The elephant, however, stands motionless or paces for long hours believing himself to be chained. However, all it takes for him to be free is to gallop away; he can trample those who cruelly abused him and crushed his spirit while he was chained.
That’s us sometimes, chained when we can so easily be free.
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The biggest chain which binds people to ugliness they do not wish to be bound to?
It is when we cannot forgive, and so people who do not deserve that honour inhabit our hearts and emotions.
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One way to tell what a blogger, or preacher, struggles with is to scroll through a few years of her posts or sermons. We write our obsessions. We teach best what we need to learn the most.
Forgiveness, very sadly, does not come easily to me.
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How do we cut the chains that bind us? How do we forgive?
We need the grace of God. Forgiveness is as hard to accomplish by an act of will as breaking a drug, alcohol or nicotine addiction by an act of will (though all of these are possible).
Forgiveness is terribly hard, and when you have done so, you have the same relief as when you have tidied a cluttered room.
You sleep so soundly. You sleep so deeply. You sleep so well.
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This is the best way I know of cutting the chains which bind you to those who have injured you. You say, “Yes, you have sinned against me; you have deceived me; you have lied about me… whatever, whatever. But I will not hold it against you. I will even pray that God blesses all the goodness in you and uses it for his Kingdom. My raw emotions sometimes feel that you deserve to be cursed not blessed, but I do not want the toxins of such sentiments in my mouth or heart. So I bless you in the name of Jesus. Go and be blessed.”
Phew. And in those simple words, the act of blessing, you are free.
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And tomorrow, your tiny un-elephant brain may forget the beautiful resolutions of today, the glorious transaction of today, and get all bitter again.
Don’t be surprised, dear reader. It’s par for the course. It’s called being human.
So, dear one, do it all over again. Cut the chain of grievance once again. Pray blessing on those who have injured you once again. It does not seem that they deserve it, but you, oh child of God, deserve peace, oh yes, you do.
Do it for Jesus. Do it for you.
Amen!
Read my new memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India (US) or UK.
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My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) or UK
Thought provoking post, Anita.
I love the mental image of the “tiny un-elephant brain.” Yup! That’s me. Or, that’s mine. *grin*
Good to hear from you. God’s blessings to you and your family as you begin the Lenten journey.
Elizabeth @chaplaineliza
Thanks, Elizabeth. Blessings to you too! Anita
I didn’t know that about elephants, Anita. What a statement – “All it takes for him to be free is to gallop away.” The idea of forgiving and receiving life is a paradox, but such an important truth. Thanks!
Thank you, Angela. R. T. Kendall has a book called “Total Forgiveness,” which was influential to me. He says that to forgive we need to bless those who have injured us (since there’s a cognitive dissonance between blessing and being vengeful). Forgiveness is a fascinating subject. It’s partly linked to our faith in God, and in God’s creative ways of making things work out for good.
The book sounds interesting, Anita. I love your wisdom in stating that sometimes we have to “cut the chain of grievance(s)” more than once. Wise words. Hope you’re doing well!
I am doing well.
How are you, Angela?
That’s great to hear, Anita. I’m doing well, too. Thank you. Adjusting to the cold winter temps here. Sure are pretty wintery sunsets, though.
Yes! And sunrises…though I don’t often see them. Night owl!
So glad you liked it, Rhoda. How are you?
Love, Anita xx
I always love the way you write from your heart 🙂 Hope you are all well, and would love to see you again sometime!
Morning Anita.
You correctly observe that forgiveness is not an easy road and we all struggle with it but, as you say, it’s the only way forward or bitterness enters the soul and matters worsen. Realising that you are forgiven through the cross of Christ is so freeing and life enhancing the struggle with forgiveness is worth it for the outcome is literally from out of this world. So, as is in my tradition when I’ve read one of your blogs I will now tweet it. Have a God blessed day. Bob
“The struggle with forgiveness is worth it for the outcome is literally from out of this world.”
Absolutely! Thanks, Bob, and thanks for retweeting!
Have a happy day too! Anita