Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER (don’t write about the song) (04/30/15)
-
TITLE: The Perfect Homecoming | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Insley
05/07/15 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
"I know. Is it not ready to come home, or not ready to leave the world behind?"
"Oh, I'm not sorry to leave this world. Quite the opposite; I'm glad to get out of here. But I have so many regrets. There is so much troubled water under the bridge. On one hand I can't wait to pass over; but on the other, I feel I haven't had the chance to live. I've stumbled from one mistake to another."
"When you were younger, you didn't see them as mistakes."
"That's true. Sin is blinding and seems so 'okay' at the time. But later you see the destructive path it's woven into life's fabric. I wish I could run around the loom one more time. Maybe I could weave something more beautiful."
"With all of its faults, knots and dropped stitches, I still see something beautiful."
"How can that be? My life is a ragged mess and full of garbage. I can't imagine telling anyone, even You, about the hatred and anger that's been generated over these years of chaos."
"You don't have to tell Me. I already know. But in these last ten
years it's been different."
"Oh, Father, knowing You has changed everything. But what about the ones that have become addicted to the filth I peddled? What about the scars on the landscapes of innocence... they are there because I was there? It's too much."
"That is in the past. Let it go and leave them to Me."
"But Lord, I can't let go because it isn't healed within me. I can't come to terms with what I've done, with the people I've hurt."
"Son, tell me about those that hurt you. Talk to me about your earthly father -- about others that abused you in life."
"There's nothing to say, Lord. I've forgiven both mum and dad. And all the others. I came of age and it was no longer about being their victim. It was about being Your son and taking responsibility for myself -- surrendering to You."
"Good. So you can forgive others, in spite of what they did to you."
"Of course. Forgiveness is the most powerful salt you can add to the meal of life."
"That's good, son. In a short time now you are going to come home. Your death will not be the end of your life, but rather the beginning of a whole new life experience. And the realization of forgiveness will really come home to you."
"I know I am forgiven, Lord. And I really do know that I have forgiven others. It's me... how do I forgive myself?"
"That's what I'm talking about. When the firing squad pulls the trigger, in that very second of arriving face to face with Me, you will understand that there is nothing to forgive yourself for."
"Ohh, Daddy, how can You say that? The things that I have done... the lives shattered... the hurts forced on others...?"
"Son, listen. I can say that because it is true."
"That can't be true!"
"There is nothing to be forgiven, because it is already forgiven."
As I walked out to face the firing squad, I realized I had just had the sweetest hour of prayer in my whole life. It was the perfect preparation for a wonderful homecoming.
Footnote: This came from meditating on the prisoners executed in Indonesia recently. How was their last hour? How would my last hour look if it was me? I reckon I'd be praying during that hour.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~