Can You Not Forgive?

He is older, nearing the end. But he still hangs on to the past. He can’t forgive someone. He can’t let it go. He can’t find the grace.

I listen to him talk. There is bitterness in his voice. An edge. Like a dull knife that is worn with age and use.

“Why can you not forgive?” I ask him.

And then it’s the same old, sad story of feelings being hurt and reconciliation never happening. And so I summon the courage and ask, “But he’s your son. Would you prefer to die before making peace with him?”

We are Living Stories

Every family is writing a narrative—a family story that the child(ren) will internalize, practice, remember, edit, and continue writing.

“Unless we change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed,” suggests a Chinese proverb.

Do you like the direction that your family is headed? Do you like the story that your family is writing? Why or why not? What can you change so the narrative changes?

Nurturing the faith of your child(ren) can help change the direction of your family. Nurturing their faith will nurture your own faith, and as your faith is nurtured you will help create a more balanced family- story, one that is God-centered.

Living

It is not living that matters, but living rightly.--Socrates