Talk, and forgive too

It's always good to talk: Feuding Political Camps in Lebanon Agree to Talk to End Impasse - New York Times.

The warring political camps in Lebanon agreed Thursday to hold renewed talks in a deal negotiated by Arab diplomats that reopened the country’s airport and appeared to end a week of bloody political crisis.

Then there was this quote: “There’s a lot of hatred. We’ll pretend we forget, but we won’t really forget.”

My fellow Christians, how many of you are forgiving your brothers the way Jesus asked you to?

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Luke 6:35-38;42
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ... How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

I am here to tell you that forgiving the sins of your brothers and neighbors will make you feel good, will make the air sweeter and the sky brighter. Forgiving your enemies will make the worst burdens feel like air. The cancer diagnosis they give me is extremely grave, but yesterday I found myself laughing, joking and feeling elated - in the chemo lounge. My social worker said I am radiant. I spent the day happy, even though I am bald, even though my fingernails are falling off, even though I have no eyelashes. This world looks very good to me and I am surrounded by love.

It was not always thus, by the way. I have felt utterly miserable for many of the seven months since I started chemotherapy. An old friend wrote to me that I don't have to put on a happy face on the blog all the time (hi Felicia!) - well believe me when I tell you I have been angry, depressed, sad, and despairing more than once. But for the last few weeks, I've been getting happier and happier. And surprise, surprise, my blood counts are improving after months of dawdling, and my liver is measurably, shockingly better.

What's the secret? Forgiving anyone I resent. This week I had to forgive Hilary Clinton, my late father, Daniel Pipes and Samir Geagea. Also my husband and my two children. Now my beloved family members are not my enemies, but I can get angry at them and resent them for all kinds of reasons. The effect on my liver is the same as when I get mad at bigots, demagogues and known murderers: misery. I can't afford it. I have to give it up.

If I can feel good in my circumstances, so can you.

Oh PS, I haven't really forgiven Daniel Pipes yet - I just put his name on there because I remembered that I resented him extra this week. I'll go think kind thoughts about him right now. Tomorrow will be another lovely day. And Samir Geagea - good thing I believe in the forgiveness of sins by a merciful, omnipotent God, because my own rational mind could not find a way to forgive Samir Geagea. Woops. Better go pray for him again. My liver is hurting.

Comments

[Judy]

So glad you're glowing these days!

...and please, say an extra prayer for Daniel Pipes for me. That's something I can't bring myself to do!

[Janet]

Leila - I have been trying to practice forgiveness as well. It does help. I think of you in your illness, and have focused on your liver healing. Don't know if it helps, but it can't hurt.

Janet

[Rev. Verde]

I came over here after reading your very right on comment on Sharon's blog.

I now have an extra surprise in reading your own blog. I am an Episcopal priest and I can't tell you how much I try and teach forgiveness - even petty hurts with one another in the congregation.

Blessings to you in your healing and thank you for spreading real joy and comfort.