WWYD?

Thanking God I'm at the place in my life that I am right now. Oddly enough, I'm in this season of new opportunities and unknowingness where so many amazing things and people have been happening and entering my life. I say "oddly enough" for the fact that where I am at is nowhere where I thought I would be at this moment in my life! It's been so special seeing how God works even when you aren't paying attention at the moment or you don't completely see the bigger picture. Which we typically never do lol.

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I was talking to one of my friends recently about an "in-general" topic of forgiveness and ones ego. Don't get me wrong, the conversation was really great, but it was difficult to speak so honestly about. It's hard to understand true forgiveness and setting your ego to the side in order to comprehend how to even begin forgiving how Jesus forgives and loving how Jesus loves. Unconditionally.

I saw this quote that said something along the lines of "you don't truly hate people. It's simply the pain they made you feel that's doing the talking." And that is so valid!

God never gave us the recipe to even understand how to hate only to love. That's why it's harder to frown and easier to smile. That's why everyone seeks to have that loving connection with someone, anyone. Even if it's just with one person. And if you are in the space that I'm in, currently, where you're not looking for someone, but just embracing this season and the many new opportunities, blessings, and people it brings with the most open of arms, than that is so amazing too! Enjoy it :)

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While talking to my friend, she told me that it's been extremely hard for her to forgive the people that have hurt her and to be able to move on from those experiences with love and peace. Her feelings were more towards her family, but this could be with any relationship that you might be struggling with. Romantically, familial, friendships, etc.

If we're being completely honest, not everything needs to be talked about or discussed. Your feelings, I mean. You can just peep what's happened or has been said and move accordingly. I have learned that people are going to treat you however they feel and that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them... and that is okay! People's opinions of you do NOT matter. They never have. Respectfully :) God's opinion of you and your opinion of yourself is truly all that means something.

I think one of the best, and most honest things we can do in situations like this... is to love them from afar. No matter what they have done to you. Choose to accept what has happened as it is and move forward with as much love as you can muster up. Putting your ego aside and showing others love and kindness when they haven't reciprocated that to you is the biggest power move you can make. Being kind.

That is true humility and humbleness.

I'll be straight up and say that I have had some in-depth conversations with God about certain people who have done me very wrong, and hurt me tremendously. I just had to be honest and say "look, God, I know You know my heart. I know You call us to love others even if they have hurt us, but I am having a hard time doing that right now. I'm having a hard time even praying for this person. That's how hard this is for me. Please allow me to forgive and have peace, so I can do as you call me to do."

And that is the HARDEST thing to do, but it is SO rewarding in the end. To be able to truthfully, humbly say, " I know you hurt me, but I love you and I forgive you and I will still pray for you." Imagine that weight being lifted off of you! Imagine being able to move on with so much peace!

At the end of our conversation, my friend felt so much better.

Just know that you are allowed to love others from a distance if that is what you need. And you owe nobody a single explanation as to why! Whether its a family member, like my friends situation, a partner, a friendship. Whatever the case may be, leave it at Gods feet and continue to progress in whatever season you are in because I promise there are so many amazing things waiting for you out there! You just have to let go of the things holding you down!

Stay beautiful, Stay loving, Stay Radiant!

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