I’m thinking, tonight, about forgiveness…about letting go and moving forward.

I’m thinking about how bitterness can keep you stuck, like quick-sand - the more you fight and struggle, the more you sink.

I’ve felt bogged down in the mire of hurt and un-forgiveness…many times. And many times I’ve had to renew my resolve to look ahead, not behind…or even down at my present predicament.

I suppose it’s innate to the human condition to focus on what is…or what seems to be, rather than what lies ahead - to lose sight of the possible while running a constant mental list of the impossibilities.

But, peace comes after the letting go, and the rescuing comes after the surrender.

So, I choose to look forward…”forgetting what lies behind, I fix my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my faith”.

And what the Enemy means to use to harm me, I will surrender to God to use for His good. There is no room for bitterness in that.

I’ve had four babies - so I know what it means to “fix my eyes”, to focus on the goal and not the pain. It’s a choice of the will.

Many times my strength fails me, when I notice the “quick-sand”, when I feel the pain - and, it’s then that my struggle can cause me to look down. But, there’s no safety there…no peace, only panic.

It is in these times of struggle that I remember - “Fix your eyes. Look ahead. Let go. Be still. Forgive…surrender…know peace.” Then comes the rescue.

And I am freed to run to my Rescuer and make His mercy mine.

Peace.