Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

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December 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Journey to Joy: Week 6 Day 1

Journey to Joy

Forgiveness is not easy. It is often hard and costly. It was costly for Jesus to forgive our sins, and it will be costly for us to forgive other people’s offenses against us. But if we believe that forgiveness is costly, then unforgiveness is even costlier because unforgiveness always imprisons us. (p. 156)

Lorraine Hill broaches a difficult subject this week but she is exactly right.  Studying forgiveness highlights another way that God asks us to depart from following the world.  Listening to God’s wisdom means rejecting the voice that whispers (and sometimes shouts) that we are hurt but we can protect ourselves by remembering and holding onto offenses to prevent them happening again.  What faulty logic!  Satan tells us we are wounded people – that is our identity.  Think of all the TV shows, books, magazine articles and songs that have been written about being hurt.  Many people identify themselves by their wound: “abused”, “neglected”, “abandoned”, “divorced”, “widowed”; the list is endless.  God tells us our identity is found in Him: therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17).  Our name is “Redeemed By the LORD”…They will be called The Holy People, Redeemed By the LORD.  And you will be called Sought After  A City That Is Not Abandoned (Is 62:12).  

It is also faulty logic to think that we can protect ourselves from, or prepare ourselves for, hurt by holding onto an old hurt.  Instead we are just constantly re-living the pain.  Sometimes we say, I can forgive but I will never forget.  I have found this to be just another trap.  God is to be our example in everything and how does He forgive?  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities…as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Ps 103:10, 12).  The Lord says, “their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” (Heb. 10:17).  But this is counterintuitive – how can we actually “forget”?  <<sigh>>  If I knew this, I would bottle it and sell it on Etsy!  LOL 😉 Seriously, this is part of our individual journey with God.  We all hold onto hurts to varying degrees but God calls us to abandon that kind of thinking and living, for His good and ours.  We cannot serve God with our whole heart, if it is filled with resentments.  And the loving Father that He is, He knows that holding onto hurt, as though it is a precious treasure, will destroy us.  Read more about giving God our best AND our worst is this post from An Acceptable Offering. Following the way of the world leads us away from God.  But following God will lead us to places we could never have found on our own. 

JustaGirl…just like you!

 

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When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
Glorious weather in BHam today. ❤️ Enjoying be Glorious weather in BHam today. ❤️ Enjoying being outside for a bit!! Scout is on the hunt. Bugs beware!! #cairnterriersofinstagram #curatingthegood #highlandlakes
He puts himself to bed! #doggo # curatingthegood He puts himself to bed! #doggo # curatingthegood
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