Yesterday I shared a short video regarding the Elephant with the pink ribbon. It lead me down memory lane. When I left home in 1999 for Los Angeles, the move wasn’t on agreeable terms with all my family but I did it anyway.
Arriving in the city of LA was more than my dreams could have imagined. My imagination hadn’t even come close considering I came from a small landlocked country in East Africa called Uganda. For the rolling blackouts that I was accustomed to where replaced with light all day and night. I learned to keep right while driving instead of left. I learned to schedule appointments with friends instead of just showing up which was the norm when i was growing up. Needless to say, I have acquired plenty of new habits and enjoyed the land of plenty.
A couple years ago, I had reached a cling. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t making the progress I thought I should have. So I took the opportunity to fast, pray and medicate on what life has in stock for me. After several days, it came as a thought, “you never asked for forgiveness” after leaving home.
My first thought was, what?? . That was over 10+years ago.
I come from a very loving and supportive family. The fact that this topic was never clearly addressed was b’se the love and support kept on coming. Unfortunately, their was a silver-lining of unresolved issues.
The pain, that I caused my family had never left me. I had buried it so deep inside. I had created a new normal for myself. I compensated by over working, aiming for perfectionsim to prove that the decision I made was the right one. I quickly learned it’s not by power or by might but by the spirit. It’s not by strength, that i shall prevail but by the blessing.
I had an opportunity that night to release my family and myself in prayer from the pink ribbon on the elephant that was holding me back all those years. After repenting, the burden was lifted. I felt light, a refreshing came over me and it has never left.
As I write this today, i encourage you to think about those who have wronged you and those you have wronged (dead or alive) . Ask for forgiveness from them and for yourself. God will give you remembrance, grace and strength to forgive. Un-forgiveness shortness lives, hand-caps and destroys destiny.
Do it for yourself and for those you love. Never assume forgiveness. Repent, check your heart and be true to yourself.
If you have taken this step to ask for forgiveness or you have forgiven someone who wronged you in the past. Share your experience below, on how it has freed you.
