Today I have a lot to be thankful for. And alot to praise God for. You see I was in chains for most of my 48 years. Drug addiction. Alcoholism. I carried hurt, Shane, regrets, bitterness, unforgiveness, and felt that there was just no good for me. As a young girl I was physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by the one person that was supposed to protect me. I felt as if I was usable and just not worthy of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness. But one day as I was looking for a Church family, God led me down the path to a church that accepted me. Counseled me. And explained to me what true forgiveness was. And true forgiveness isn't for the benefit of your abuser, but it is the benefit of setting you free. Forgiveness is for you. See I thought forgiveness meant reconciliation and to forget what he had done. But that isn't the case at all. Once I forgave him I felt this calm peace wash over me. A peace I never felt before. That is my God. My Ancient of Days, the one who even when I was mad at Him, stuck by me and didn't give up. My Abba, my redeemer, my savior, healerz and the one who will never leave me, nor forsake me. I had an earthly father who abused the gift my heavenly Father gave him. But I have forgave him. But reconciliation was not part of that forgiveness. You see reconciliation requires acknowledgement of what you did. And the ability to ask for forgiveness yourself. It requires you tell the truth, and ask your heavenly Father to forgive you for your sins, it also requires that you ask the person you hurt for their forgiveness. So forgive. Remove bitterness. Hate. Anger. And any other emotion the enemy can use against you. And talk to your Heavenly Father and ask Him for the strength to lay it all down. Allow Him to break those chains. Let Him set you free.