I let forgiveness rest upon all things, for thus forgiveness will be given me.

12-8-2023

“The key is in my hand, and I have reached the door beyond which lies the end of dreams.”

As my peers in seminary begin to get slowly introduced to lines from ACIM, I wonder how I might describe the message of this text. I know it to be about forgiveness. But, what will saying that to others mean to them? Will it turn some away because they believe there are others in their life that they can’t forgive?

“Forgiveness recognizes what you thought your brother did to you has not occurred. It does not pardon sins and make them real. It sees there was no sin. And in that view are all your sins forgiven. What is sin, except a false idea about God’s Son? Forgiveness merely sees its falsity, and therefore lets it go. What then is free to take its place is now the Will of God.” ~ W.II.1.1.1-7

In the Course, we learn that forgiveness is seeing things differently, that there is no sin. We are all doing the best we can.

“I let forgiveness rest upon all things.”

12-8-2022

“Let me forgive all things, and let creation be as you would have it be and as it is.”

I just noticed, as I read the lesson title and my chosen quote, that I don’t feel a strong need for forgiveness for myself but I’m ready to forgive others. I will reflect on this.

I am blameless … I find there is good and bad in this thought.

Many people use their minds to torture themselves so it’s good that I don’t do that. But, over the years, I’ve seen my ego utilize self-righteousness to protect me from feeling low over mistakes.

(As an enneagram type 1, perfectionist, my ego learned to protect me against shame — the shadow of perfectionism, according to Brene’ Brown.)

In these past times, I’ve given no consideration to others, my thoughts were to protect my goodness. With my choice of living an authentic life, I learned to accept my mistakes. This was good so blame would not fall on others, but I still felt my ego full of pride for being a person who admitted mistakes. Was this hiding something?

I have self-esteem, does this block humility? Does it block thinking of others?

Are there acts that I’ve done that beg forgiveness of others? The answer must be ‘Yes!’

So, protected in my pompousness of being a forgiving person, I’ve worn blinders to the forgiveness that I need.

Thank you, Lord, for new clarity.