To forgive means to 'give up', to let go. When we forgive, we are willing to give up resentment, revenge and obsession. We are willing to restore faith not only in ourselves, but also in life itself. The inability to do this causes harm in the one who is holding onto the anger. If you are at war with others, you cannot be at peace with yourself.

It takes no strength to let go, only courage. Forgiveness is the most important single process that brings peace to our soul and harmony to our life. All of us, at some point in our lives, have been hurt and wounded by the actions or words of another. Sometimes the grievances have been so great we thought, 'No way, this I cannot forgive!' Resentment and hostility can run so deep that forgiveness becomes very difficult. We feel we have a right to our indignation! However, living from resentment takes so much effort. It creates a tremendous void in and around us. All the poisonous feelings of hatred and resentment stay bottled up inside and eventually ooze into all the areas of our life with the result that we become bitter, angry, unhappy and frustrated.

Forgiveness is not something we have to do, but something we must allow to flow through us. When we step away from the consciousness of our human nature and allow God's grace to express through us, to forgive through us, we can at that point, feel the radiant and warm rays of the flow of divine love dissolving all hurt, bitterness and sense of injustice. We become aware that we are free and we can project that love outward into our world. Forgiveness helps us move forward. No one benefits from forgiveness more than the one who forgives! Forgiveness is the key to our happiness. Forgiving someone else takes moral courage. Its power can change misery into happiness. Forgiveness means choosing to let go, move on and favour the positive. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of hatred, resentment, anger and pain that is often passed on to those around you. Forgiveness helps us make peace with our past and create a new future.

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in years of farming side by side, sharing machinery and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference. One morning there was a knock on the older brother's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," the man said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my younger brother's farm. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a pond between us. He done this to spite me, but I'll go one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - a ten-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day. At about sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the pond to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all - and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."

As your thought for the week, look at the situations in your life where bridges need to be built and try to build them as best you can!

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