couldn’t be any closer.
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever, Amen.”
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
For many of us, The Lord’s Prayer is recited at the end of every meeting. As are so many things, it has been heard so often that it is said many times while thinking about something else entirely.
When it is recited “by rote,” the true meaning is many times lost. This prayer originated with Divine inspiration. It does not say we pick and choose who to forgive. It does not say what to forgive.
Nowhere in this prayer does it open the cafeteria where we pick and choose anything. The Law of Attraction is in play here. Just how do you want to feel? Do you wish to feel good continuously?
Or do you wish to sprinkle some days filled with guilt, shame, resentment, remorse, or anger? Free will was given by God to all human beings and, as its name says, we are free to use it in any way we choose.
We can choose to be happy or even choose to be miserable. When in the madness, or sometimes even after taking the last drink or drug, we may do serious harm to someone.
Now, we may wish this person to forgive us because we are genuinely repentant for harming them. How come some can forgive others for anything but not themselves?
What made me so totally unique so that I think that whatever I have done deserves to be forgiven but not myself.
If this is my attitude, where is it ANY different than when, in the madness, I would think “If you had my problems, you would drink, too?”
If I, as one living in this Human experience, can forgive, why do I think that my Creator would not forgive me? Especially since it is reported that He has. Am I greater than God?
The beauty of learning about Spirituality is that I learned that there is a God and it is NOT me! So, if you are one who can not or will not forgive yourself, just TRY IT. Remember “Fake it ‘till you make it?”
Well, earnestly try faking it. If one time does not work, do it again…..and again…..and soon you WILL MAKE IT! Remember that we are all Spiritual Beings living in a Spiritual Universe that is Governed by Spiritual Law.
We are individualized expressions of God and One with ALL that exists. Forgive yourself and do it NOW!
Got another “Oh, WOW” moment for you. I believe that the words “Our Father” are the most important words in this prayer. What’s so special about them?
What is so special is that all who say this prayer say “Our Father.” So, what does this mean? If we all have the same Father, what does that make us, you and me? Right! Brothers and sisters.
So, let’s carry this one step further and have a little fun. The next time you are in a crowd on the street, or even a small group that is saying The Lord’s Prayer together, look around.
Now, think as you look at the others “Hi, Brother.” “Hi, Sister.” And the great thing about this is that you will be RIGHT. Spiritual Brothers and Sisters we are. Good-by being alone.
Even though we may call our God by different names, It is the same God. It is your Father and my Father.
Once again, simple but not always easy. Thank you, God!
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