Forgiveness and Freedom

(A continuation of Fear and Forgiveness)

Last night a group of ladies from my Life Group poured life into me through annointing and prayer.

They prayed for comfort and healing in my life. And they prayed for strength, because they knew, as did I, that I could not get through today without the strength that comes only through Christ.

Today I attended his funeral.

I stood with his family and friends. As the preacher phrased it, I stood among "Those who had been touched through his life."

I am sure that it was true; that each life there had somehow been affected by his. I prayed that among the crowd, that my story was unique. I hoped that the fun and charming man he was in public was also the man these people experienced behind closed doors.

The family welcomed me with open arms today. They were happy to see me, and happy to accept forgiveness on behalf of someone they loved.

Through words and stories they spoke of his salvation in the last years of his life, as well as the acceptance of death he knew was coming.

It caused a conflict in my soul to hear how great and wonderful this man was.

The man who taught me how to hate.

For a moment I almost surrendured to my instinct to just walk away, but it was in that moment that I was overwhelmed by peace, and God reminded me why I was there.

Forgiveness.

Long ago, after years of fighting him and running from him, I forgave him, and at that point the chains were loosed and I was set free.

Free from bitterness. Free from anger. Free from hate. And now, free from fear.

In that moment I decided not to step back into my chains.

So, today, I found the answers to questions. And, as much as I could hope, I found closure.

I continue to move along the path called Healing....