Redemption
= to free from what distresses or harms (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redeem).
We
went to see “Saving Mr. Banks” yesterday, and the one word I left with was just
that. Redemption.
I’m
not going to give away any of the story, but I will say it was intense and
moving. There is no family unit that is perfect, but our birth family is the
place from where all of us begin.
Our
family of origin.
It’s
the place you can’t choose, as it’s already been chosen for you.
It’s
the place from which your memories will start and flow.
I
have to admit that, while it would be great to have all of my memories from my family of origin be
wonderful, they all are not.
Like,
for instance, when my dog died, and I thought I would, too.
Or,
when my first boyfriend broke up with me during Christmas break when I was 14.
I just knew I was going to marry him! I felt like no one understood my pain,
not even my family.
Or,
when my parents made me break up with my boyfriend/finance, when I was 17,
because he his step-dad said he was doing drugs. And I didn’t speak to my
parents, unless I absolutely had to… for weeks. I didn’t forgive them for
months.
But, through the years, better memories that have overshadowed the bad ones.
For
instance, when my dad took me to dinner and shopping to get some new shoes for work because he
knew I didn’t have any money.
Or,
when they were there helping me pack and move out the day I left my abusive first husband.
Or,
the days they were there for the births of my sons, their grandchildren.
If
you dwell on the hurt and shortcomings and failures of others and the impact it
has on your life, you will be filled with sadness and grief, maybe remorse and
shame. But if you forgive, you are free to move forward towards redemption.
Personally,
I’m grateful that Jesus redeemed me from the life that I thought I deserved. I’ve
made some regretful decisions, and I have been at the place where I felt that I
lost everything… that I had no hope left at all. But I know have been given more
than I ever lost.
Redemption.
Forgiveness.
Hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment