If you are bitter about something, or unforgiving, or mired down in the muck of life and complicated relationships; let it go. God does not mean for you to carry the burden on your shoulders- He tells us in the Old and New Testaments to forgive others, in part because that helps YOU to be healthier and happier. People will hurt you in this life, it is inevitable; we live in a fallen and broken world. You must choose how you deal with that.

A pastor of my youth told me a wonderful story once during my confirmation class: He held up a picture of a solid blue window and a stained glass window of many colors. He asked us (the class) which was more beautiful- we answered the stained glass window. And then he said, "The stained glass window is made up of many broken pieces of glass, fused together by an artist to make something beautiful. In this life, you will be hurt and broken, it is the nature of the world we live in. But if you allow God to take the pieces of your life and do with them what He will, He will make them into something truly beautiful."

Are you holding onto the broken shards of your life, or are you allowing God to make something beautiful out of them? Holding onto bitterness, un-forgiveness, anger and hate tells God you don't want Him to be the artist of your life; it keeps your life a pile of broken shards. Releasing those feelings and turning things over to God is your way of allowing Him to begin crafting your life.

Let your life be a breathtaking stained glass window.

Be blessed friends, and be a blessing to someone else.
Beth Haynes Butler