Sunday, August 8, 2010

"Yesterday is gone...


...Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." Mother Teresa

A blessed Sunday to you my friends! This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I have the pleasure of hosting this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. I chose for the inspiration scripture, Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The challenge is to create a card of apology or one reaching out to someone and encouraging them to put the past behind them and move forward.

As I wrote in my devotional on the Stampin Sisters in Christ blog, one thing that's been weighing heavily on my mind for the past several months is the subject of forgiveness... not God's forgiveness of our sins, but our forgiveness of others who have wronged us, and of our own forgiveness of ourselves. I've been struggling with not only hurt feelings and anger for wrongs done to me, but also the dangerous feelings of self-righteousness and self-doubt. Sometimes it's hardest to forgive ourselves, isn't it? We look back and wonder where we went wrong or what we did to deserve being treated badly. Going back and forth between nursing umbrage and berating ourselves causes us stress, misery, and sometimes depression. And it often leaves no chance for reconciliation.

I could never hope to touch on all aspects of this subject in one sitting, but I want to plant this seed... that by nursing umbrage, being self-righteous and/or torturing ourselves with self-doubt, the only one truly being hurt is us. The other person may or may not be hurting... we may never know. But one thing is for sure, we are hurting ourselves by not letting go and moving forward. This is also true for when you've hurt someone else. Sometimes your apology might not be enough or accepted. But when you know you've done all you can, you simply must find a way to forgive yourself (and the other person) and move forward. And if there is a chance for reconciliation, that is probably the only thing that will make it possible.

Only God is perfect and able to forgive without hesitation and with complete love. I would give anything to be able to do that! Can you imagine how much happier life would be without all that emotional baggage? God has asked us to accept his forgiveness and forgive ourselves. "...go, and sin no more." (John 8:11)

In Philippians 3:13-14, we are encouraged to, "...[forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." In other words, let go of the baggage so that we can move forward unfettered in Christ Jesus!

I love the greeting on my card, which is from Our Daily Bread Designs stamp set Let Us Begin, a quote from Mother Teresa, "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

Yes, my friends, let us begin... begin again and again until we feel that perfect peace in not only knowing that we are forgiven, but that God also wants us to forgive each other and ourselves.

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Be sure to at least stop by and see all the wonderful cards created by our awesome design team!

Peace be with you.

Note: my card also features Longing Tilda, available from our challenge sponsor Simon Says Stamp. The DP is by Melody Ross; the flower is from Prima. I'm entering this card in Challenge #1 - Pink & Dots at 7KidsCollege Fund.

17 comments:

Alice said...

i love this, Lisa! Tilda is so cute in this!! lovely card!

Miesje said...

Lisa, this is just beautiful - the card that is. Your writing is inspired! As I shared with you earlier, this scripture was just what I needed to hear and what you shared could have been written by me! Thank you. Oh - I must get myself some of those Tildas!

Catherine said...

This is such a delightful card Lisa ! The little Tilda is so cute and the flower is gorgeous but most of all the sentiment is perfect... Smiles from Catherine

Becky said...

What a fabulous card, the sentiment is so perfect as that flower..Love the devotional for this week..

peggysue said...

Great subject for this week, great verse. And that card is so cute! I like the Tilda you selected. So often the devotional for the week will have come up earlier and the thoughts keep repeating and swirling around, a message I needed to have repeated I think!

Sue from Oregon said...

Lovely post today Lisa!

Grace said...

What a great Scripture this week and thanks for your thoughts on it Lisa! I'm enjoying reading everyone's words as we all had a slightly different take yet isn't that how God uses a Scripture to speak to each of us at the point of our need, our experiences, and we can get something different out of it each time we read it!!! Your words are so appreciated today! I adore and I do mean adore your card! Tilda is so cute and colored to perfection! I almost used this same sentiment today too!!! Great minds you know... LOL! Have a wonderful week!

Manuela said...

Stunning card! ♥ I just love flower that you've used! Great job!

Thanks for joining us at 7 Kids College Fund Challenge blog. ^_^

Hugs,
¤Manuela¤

Lisa said...

Love love love your project! That sentiment is wonderful! Thanks for joining us at 7 Kids Challenge this week!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Aw Lisa, this is darling!! Love the sentiment you used and the Tilda!! I now have her on my wishlist. Gorgeous colors and layout!

What an encouraging verse and awesome challenge. Thanks for your encouraging words on the verse and your insight.
Have a blessed week!
hugs,
Chris

Julie said...

Your card is beautiful! I love that Hot Pink!

Thank you for joining our first challenge at 7 Kids College Fund!

Julie

Patti J said...

Wow, great post today, Lisa! I need to hear this, over and over! Love your card too. I adore Mother Teresa's sayings. I keep at eye level on my printer "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile". Great job, my friend! And Amen!

Sheri Gilson said...

What a BEAUTIFUL card, Lisa!! I love sweet Miss Tilda and all the yummy pink!!

Sheri Gilson said...

What a BEAUTIFUL card, Lisa!! I love sweet Miss Tilda and all the yummy pink!!

Annika said...

Wonderful card! Beautiful colouring and layout and I love gorgeous dotty flower.
Thanks for playing at 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog, hope to see you back next time!
Hugs
Annika

Lovely Linda said...

Hello Lisa - you are one busy stamper! I love this card and that sentiment, which is perfect for this weeks SSIC challenge! Thank you Lisa for sharing from your heart, it is challeging and inspiring! God bless you! {{{hugs}}}

Tabitha said...

I love the sentiment and tilda is sublime! I love the coloring. :)