I’m starting work on a sermon that I will deliver in about four months. I can’t even imagine how pastors can write and deliver sermons week after week. The topic that I was given was forgiveness.
I, of course, started by entering forgiveness into the Google search engine. I was delighted by the number of articles, books and resources available. I discovered the International Forgiveness Institute.
It didn’t take me long to realize that I’m better at forgiving others than forgiving myself. So, my main point will focus on self-forgiveness. I chatted with a couple of people at church and found that staying forgiven is a problem for them as well. You see, we forgive ourselves for something, and it sticks for awhile, and then some part of my brain reaches up to pull it all down again, and I go through the process again. And again. And again.
Maya Angelou has helped me out for the past couple of days. Such a brilliant, sensitive, person is Maya Angelou. Quote #1: Forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself. Quote #2 is similar: You can ask forgiveness of others, but in the end the real forgiveness is in one’s own self.
Now, and my assignment that I will also pass along to you so you can help me: I’m looking for illustrations in literature and scriptures that name someone being forgiven. I won’t promise that I’ll include your ideas, or even if my current idea will be my final draft.
Put them in the comments or email them to me. I’ve got time to make about forty drafts of this sermon, and I’ll share it with you once it’s finished.
I’m grateful for my reader/listener/supporters – YOU. Thanks for taking the time to read my periodical musings.
Harold
Feather in the Wilderness 
I’ll have to think on that one, my friend. I don’t know if the term “forgiven” was used, or if it even applies, but when I was researching Harry Patch (Henry John) for my Veteran’s Day post, it spoke of how he returned to Germany after WWI and met with a German soldier. and it was a very good meeting. But perhaps more on the futility of war. He might be worth looking up to see if he fits your criteria. I’m sure there must be instances of Holocaust survivors as well, but I can’t name anything specific. And certainly survivor guilt — the ultimate self-guilt. A lovely post — let me know when you give the sermon. I’d love to come.
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