Like the author, I find it difficult to put away my old self at home when I visit my family I grew up with and, it seems, I sometimes revert to my "childish" self. Patterns and relationships seem to be ingrained, many are loving and positive but some are not constructive. Though I like to think I have grown up I sometimes see my "old 'young' self" returning. Tutu's quote is meaningful, "Forgiveness gives us a capacity to make a new start," not only forgiving others but accepting God's forgiveness for ourselves.
Thanks for sharing, Connie. You're absolutely right - God's forgiveness is the foundation of being able to put on the "new self," the self that was given to us as a gift in our baptism!
Like the author, I find it difficult to put away my old self at home when I visit my family I grew up with and, it seems, I sometimes revert to my "childish" self. Patterns and relationships seem to be ingrained, many are loving and positive but some are not constructive. Though I like to think I have grown up I sometimes see my "old 'young' self" returning. Tutu's quote is meaningful, "Forgiveness gives us a capacity to make a new start," not only forgiving others but accepting God's forgiveness for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Connie. You're absolutely right - God's forgiveness is the foundation of being able to put on the "new self," the self that was given to us as a gift in our baptism!
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