I'm not a "woman's woman" kind of girl. I've always been put off by large groups of women...and all the nasty details that cliques include. I'm the friend that gets told, "I call you to get my head put back on straight! All my other friends tell me what I want to hear. You talk straight up!" This could all be why I withdraw from ministry/bible study/mom's group activities periodically. There is so much UNREST...and DISUNITY...and UNFORGIVENESS.
A stiff apology is a second insult…. The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt. — G.K. Chesterton
I'm going through yet another time...where I'm watching several situations thinking, "do these people NOT understand that forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be separated...or forgiveness didn't really even take place!" Some of you will remember my not too distant epiphany on forgiveness. Yesterday, it really blew my socks off to hear our leader at BSF say..."we can have peace even amid unforgiveness." She was talking about times where you seek forgiveness and don't find it. I was so convicted. Cuz...I'm really letting my peace be stolen...and I'm not even part of the actual mess!
I know, some of you are thinking that I just said I don't do bible studies and women's groups and here I am mentioning BSF...so, let me do my little commercial. Bible Study Fellowship is BY FAR...the best...women's Bible study I have ever been a part of... BECAUSE...it is highly disciplined...you must control your tongue, your attitude, your thoughts, your behavior. I LOVE IT....don't knock it til you've tried it...and don't try it if you aren't willing to be really disciplined in ALL those AREAS!
So, do you just say you forgive...just because that's what's expected? Cuz you have to?
Do you go the extra mile...to restore peace and rebuild relationships...even though it stings a little! Okay, stings ALOT!
7 comments:
Great word Bobbi,
I really enjoyed what you shared and will ponder on it.
Have a blessed WFW♥
Ahhhhh yes, I have a "Live at peace with everyone" sign hanging in my kitchen...indeed easier said than done...I too don't tolerate well the "petty" ways of women especially in groups...
Chesterton's words are so true...compensation is much less important to me than healing when I've been hurt...
I do try. I hold my tongue when I've been hurt for the sake of peace because most of the time the guilty party is completely unaware...I am learning to truly just "forgive." Even when it stings. A lot.
Awesome words to ponder here...
Soooo good!
peace,
lori
Wonderful word sweetie.
Oh, I so agree with you about BSF. I love BSF! Isn't studying Isaiah wonderful? I love that we can be in different parts of the country and world for that matter and still study the same lesson. I love be able to go online to answer the questions now. I used to have a hard time fitting in my answers in the small space.
I've written a few posts on Heart Choices about BSF. I also had the opportunity to visit headquarters in San Antonio one year.
So glad to 'meet' you.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Great word!!!
oh good one!
I have a hard time with this one!
beautiful reminder, bobbi. thanks for sharing. happy wfw!
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