Posted by Emily on December 05, 1998 at 04:42:25:
In Reply to: Re: Hey there posted by Doug Showalter on December 05, 1998 at 00:42:01:
Doug,
My "climbing the staircase" image of forgiveness came from my heart. I didn't dream it up or hear of it somewhere else. I am living it day by day. I think that anyone who has forgiven anything in their life has taken the same steps. Granted some stairs are a lot shorter and easier to master. The ones I am on now are quite steep and numerous ones. I find that my steps become unsteady when I do one thing. When I take my eyes off of the "landing" or goal (in this case ultimate forgiveness and peace in my marriage) and look from wince I came. Just like on a real staircase if while climbing --you turn and look where you've been you can lose your sense of balance and fall. So I know I have to keep my eye on the landing and one day I will reach it. I am sure that then I will be able to say -- that wasn't so bad....and look over my achievement with the pride of knowing that I accomplished what I set out to do. I know to that God will be watching and guiding me and when I do as he tells me to do -- I can't help but to get the job done. I know now just as I knew the day my son died -- that there is a reason for everything. When I reach the landing I will know that reason and my God will say "Well done my good and faithful child".
Thank you Doug for your kind words and thoughts and for this board that has helped encourage me to keep climbing my staircase of forgiveness. I wish you well.
God bless
Emily