The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is such a powerful thing. When you can forgive someone, there’s a sense of freedom that goes along with it.

On the flip side, it’s not always easy to forgive. Carrying bitterness and anger because of unforgiveness can destroy you.  

If we want to maintain healthy relationships with others, forgiveness is a must.

When I struggle with forgiveness, there are two scriptures that I always turn to but find hard to live by: 

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive you your sins.” 
~Matthew 6:14, 15 (NIV)

“Get rid of all bitterness rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ forgave you.” 

~Ephesians 4:31, 32 (NIV)

I know when I've had a hard time forgiving someone, I found it hard to pray. I didn’t see the point. How could I ask God to forgive me of my sins knowing that I was holding bitterness and malice towards someone? 

I always had to remind myself that no one is worth the stress or the headache. I refuse to lose my soul over anyone because of an unforgiving spirit.

Forgiving someone doesn't mean you'll forget the pain. It just means that you're no longer allowing that person and situation to control you. 

The next time you struggle with this sin, just remember that there's no better cleanser for your mind, body and soul than forgiveness.

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Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)

About that birth plan...

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will mark six months since I was in the hospital anticipating Zendaya’s arrival.

I went in with all these ideas about how my labour and delivery would go. Being the organized woman that I am, I had put together a birth plan.

I remember giving my birth plan to one of the nurses. She looked at me, smirked and started reading it.

I was hoping for my water to break naturally. There was a possibility that they would have to break it the following morning because my contractions were only 45 minutes apart on the eve of Zendaya’s birth.

I was determined that I wasn’t going to get the epidural even though I have zero tolerance for pain.

I was praying that I wouldn't have to have a c-section because I didn’t want them to cut me open and deal with the pain for six weeks or more.

I wanted to cut the umbilical cord.

I wanted to hold Zendaya immediately after delivery.

I also wanted to see the placenta before it was discarded.

These were only a few of the things listed on my birth plan.

After the nurse finished reading it, she looked at me and laughed. She told me that most times, what women want to happen during their labour and delivery doesn’t happen. She went on to say that I should go in with an open mind to avoid disappointment.

It was my turn to laugh.

She clearly didn’t know me. I’m all about being in control and I was definitely going to be in control of this situation. 

Fast forward nine hours.

The next morning, my OB had to break my water.

After four hours of enduring the pain, I asked the nurse how fast could she get me the epidural.

Due to some complications with Zendaya’s birth, I didn’t get to cut the umbilical cord nor did I get to hold her or see until ten minutes after her delivery.

I only got to see a picture of the placenta.

The only thing I was able to tick off my birth plan was not having a c-section.

 My nurse was right. Creating a birth plan is great but you definitely have to go in with an open mind. Never again will I create another. 

Lesson learned.

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Thanks for reading and keep smiling :)