Psalm 32:1
32 Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is he whose transgression is forgiven,
And whose sin is covered.
In our lives we all have many situations, events, and wrong doings that require us as Children of the most High God to forgive.
Twenty Five years I ago I left my very first place here in Georgia to move back to Ohio. The circumstances were unpleasant and would change my life forever. You see I am a survivor of a Sexual Assault perpetrated in my apartment by a man I went out on a few dates with and I felt I could trust.
When I moved back to Ohio it took me some time to get myself together. I was wreaked emotionally and walking around full of fear and anxiety. About a year in I was finally getting my footing and a man that my brother introduced to me as his friend took an unhealthy interest in me. Long story short he became a stalker. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence that he would show up where I would be. It then became apparent he would find out my plans and show up. Six times in one week is not a coincidence. He finally approached me and asked me out on a date. I explained to him I was not interested and I was not ashamed to tell him what had happened to me and even if I was interested I was truly not ready for dating. This man would not take no for an answer he would show up at my house uninvited, show up when I wasn’t home and do things like cut my grass, send flowers to my job, call my job, and a list of other things. My family got involved and it didn’t make it any better. Finally, I had to get the police involved when my sister –in-law came to visit and caught him outside my house, behind a tree watching me through my window. Creepy, right? I tell you all of this because I don’t know if any of you know how it feels when someone invades your space, invades you body, the pressure, the anger, the anxiety, the confusion, and hurt. I was so angry at him because I told him what I had already experienced. It took me some years to forgive this man for what he put me through but I did. But I never spoke to him face to face about it.
Fast forward to two months ago, I get a message in my inbox from this man asking me to call him. At first I was thinking to myself there is no reason for me to contact this man. No need to have a conversation at all. That was my flesh talking to me of course. I prayed and talked to God about it. It was a little bit of a back and forth kinda thing but without a doubt God won the conversation.
So on a Saturday morning when I wouldn’t be distracted I called. He answered with a voice of such surprise and excitement. He asked how I was doing and before I could answer the next words that came out of his mouth were “I am so sorry, I am so sorry for what happen between us so many years ago.” “ I heard what you were saying to me but I didn’t listen. Can you forgive me for any pain I caused. “ My reply was, “ I forgave you years ago”. In a cracking and shaking voice He said, “You did?” I said “Yes, almost seventeen years ago, we are good”.
At first I didn’t realize that he was crying. I began to hear the sniffles and the shaking in his voice became stronger. There was such a release that I felt. It wasn’t even my release it was for him! He thanked me over and over again. I explained to him how God has forgiven of so many things in my life how could I not forgive him. Wow, what Power is in that! The next thing I know this man is giving me a play by play of his life since the last time we spoke. And you know what? I just let him. He needed it and I could oblige him by just listening.
So for me this is an example of forgiveness is for the other person. When I hung up the phone I cried for a little while. I cried for his release and the difference forgiveness may make in his life.
I pray everyone that needs forgiveness receives it!🙏
Erica Parker