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Emily Williams
To forgive is to set yourself free. And unless we learn to forgive those who have hurt us, especially those who have hurt us deeply, we will be imprisoned in anger and bitterness.
Surrender
I gave my life to Jesus at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes retreat my junior year in college. I had heard of Jesus. I had gone to church as a child. But I never understood what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Church always seemed hollow to me – hollow and empty.
As I heard the message of the Gospel at that FCA retreat – the message of love and forgiveness – I knew it was exactly what I needed. I could feel it in my heart. I could feel the presence of God reaching for me, pulling me, inviting me.
Grant, my husband, and I were at the same point. He had given His life to Jesus during High School, but was not walking with the Lord. We knew we needed teaching. We knew we needed to be fed. We knew we needed to be nurtured.
Nurture
I knew we needed to be nurtured in our faith, because I know how important nurture is. I know because I'm a mother, and I know how much my children need my love and guidance. I know how much even my husband needs encouragement, not just as a football player, but as a man – a husband and father and leader of our family.
And I know how important nurture is because I received so little as a child. My mother is an alcoholic, and was never able to give me the kind of support and guidance and emotional sustenance that everyone needs. Her life was a mess – and she was never there for me in ways she probably would have wanted to be.
And for a while I was bitter. I felt cheated, and I was angry at her for not giving me what I thought I was entitled to – what every child is entitled to. I was resentful about all the broken promises, and all the disappointments. She would vow that she would quit drinking, and I would believe her. I wanted to believe her. And time after time she would break her vow.
Restoration
The only way to restore such a broken relationship is through forgiveness. I have learned to forgive my mother, and forgiving her has allowed me to live in the joy and peace God intended for me.
I look at her through Jesus' eyes. And I know that as He forgave me, and restored me, I can forgive those around me – even those whose promises lie shattered around me.
And day by day, I pray that I will continue to see my mother as God sees her – as someone He truly loves, as someone He died for, as someone He values enough to have given His own Son for her.
Father
I have a wonderful life. I have a husband who loves God. I have three beautiful children, and a delightful teenage brother who now lives with us. I have great Christian friends, and I've received powerful teaching from Christian leaders.
And I've learned that God is my Father, who never breaks a promise, who always keeps His Word, who loves me for all eternity, and nurtures me with His unfailing love.
And I've learned the freedom of forgiveness.
If you would like to know more about Jesus and what He can do for you, just click the button on the left side of your screen to change your life.
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