One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in my life is that I can’t expect to go forward if I continue holding on to the past.  Holding on to those painful memories can wreak havoc in our lives if we allow it.  It at times can feel so hard to even fathom the idea of just not ever remembering those difficult times or letting go of that pain.  It’s as if that pain and those memories have a tight grip on us.  I reached a crossroad in my life a few years ago and I knew there was nothing, and I mean nothing, I could do today that would erase what happened all those years ago.  I couldn’t change what once was, the things people did or said that hurt me but I could change what is today and what’s to come.  I had a choice to make.  I could allow that lingering pain to just steal away any joy I could have, make me a bitter person, tear apart my family or I could just give it all to God and allow Him to help me start over fresh.  It wasn’t easy but I finally was able to get past all those painful thoughts and fill my heart and mind with a peace unlike any other.  I was able to finally focus on what is today and not worry anymore about what should have and could have been.  God blessed me with a loving family and beautiful friends.  He continues to remind me that this life I’m living today is a great life.  I don’t lose sleep anymore and I’ve been able to face many of those issues head on and made my peace with the people that caused me so much anguish and pain.  All those memories have faded into the past and I focus on this beautiful life God has blessed me with and all the wonderful experiences along the way.  I cherish this time God gives me.  Like my son Israel once said, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal.”  We don’t get to came back again and redo life a different way.  We have one chance at life.  Why waste it over things you can’t change when you can live for each day you have been given?

Heavenly Father, I pray for those suffering and struggling to let go.  I know how hard it is as they continue holding on to all this pain and those hurtful memories.  I pray that you give them strength today, to release all that hurt, all those thoughts and all of those things binding them from living a life of peace and joy.  I ask you Father that you deliver them from what they continue holding on to.  Fill them Lord with your comfort and courage to leave the past far behind.  I ask that you fill their thoughts with beautiful memories and renew their hearts and minds.  Fill that emptiness Lord, that loneliness with your unfailing love.  I thank you God, in Jesus name…Amen.

XOXO…Ileen

Psst…God Loves You

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32