GOODMORNING!

 
Through forgiveness; I am free to live a full and joyful life. If in the course of my day I accumulate resentments, it is like picking up rocks and putting them in my pocket.
If I collect the rocks and hold on to them day after day, month after month, I feel the burden grow. When I refuse to let resentments go, I am weighed down by the hurt and anger I carry. Forgiveness means looking beyond behaviors.
Without condoning hurtful actions, I accept that each of us is doing the best we can in that moment. The truth is that we are all children of God and nothing can diminish or change that.
As I release the belief that I can lose my good or lose my power, I let go of the negativity weighing me down and I forgive. Freed of resentment, I am ready to love others, to laugh, and to live joyfully.
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone.” ~ Mark 11:25
Amen

Psalm 66

 ¹ Shout with joy to God, all the earth! ² Sing the glory of his name;
       make his praise glorious! ³ Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
       So great is your power
       that your enemies cringe before you. ⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
       they sing praise to you,
       they sing praise to your name.”
       Selah ⁵ Come and see what God has done,
       how awesome his works in man’s behalf! ⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
       they passed through the waters on foot—
       come, let us rejoice in him. ⁷ He rules forever by his power,
       his eyes watch the nations—
       let not the rebellious rise up against him.
       Selah ⁸ Praise our God, O peoples,
       let the sound of his praise be heard; ⁹ he has preserved our lives
       and kept our feet from slipping. ¹⁰ For you, O God, tested us;
       you refined us like silver. ¹¹ You brought us into prison
       and laid burdens on our backs. ¹² You let men ride over our heads;
       we went through fire and water,
       but you brought us to a place of abundance. ¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
       and fulfill my vows to you- ¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
       when I was in trouble. ¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
       and an offering of rams;
       I will offer bulls and goats.
       Selah ¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God;
       let me tell you what he has done for me. ¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
       his praise was on my tongue. ¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
       the Lord would not have listened; ¹⁹ but God has surely listened
       and heard my voice in prayer. ²⁰ Praise be to God,
       who has not rejected my prayer
       or withheld his love from me!