Black winds churn my soul
With my face I smile
?Everything?s fine?
But in my soul
Thunderclouds feed revenge
Damaging faith
Crippling love
To retaliate the pain she bored into my heart

I imprisoned her in my heart
Don’t want to let her go until she regrets her words
Until she pays for every action
Until she sees it my way

Cold shoulder
Curt language
Slippery tongue
Not really gossip, just a little truth
I say
Drawing others into my briars

And the thunder rages
Bruising
Damaging
And Cutting
…Not her soul
But mine

…Love your enemies
But, Lord, I do love her, I just don?t like her
…Bless those who curse you
She doesn?t deserve blessing, Lord
…Do good to those who hate you
But You heard what she said
You saw what she did
?.Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
But then she’d get away with it
…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven?.

Sons
Children who reflect their Father’s image
Children who have their Father?s eyes
My soul doesn?t walk in Your image right now, Lord
I’ve allowed the black winds to cloud my eyes

I want to have my Father?s eyes
I want to see from Your perspective
Perspective of mercy
You have loved me
With an everlasting love
You have forgiven me
No matter what I?ve done or said or thought
Let me see her through your eyes, Father
Made of flesh like me
Born into a broken world
Bearing a broken soul

As You forgave me
So I forgive her
As Jesus trusted You when He hung on the cross
…Father forgive them for they know now what they do
So I trust you, Father, even in this pain
Forgive and make me whole
As I forgive her
And pray for her wholeness

As You released me
So I release this lady from the bars of my heart
No matter how she chooses to live
I choose to live in Your image, Father
To forgive her as You forgive
Love her as You love
Bless her with Your mercy
Pray for her with Your grace

I place her in Your arms
In Your compassion that will reach her heart
Draw her closer to Your presence
That she will know Your forgiveness as I have

And the thundercloud settles
Peace
Healing
Satisfaction
Compassion
Release

Scripture for your meditation: Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 18:21-35

Experience deeper encounter with God, our Giver…?Giving to Worship: Encounter the Delight of The Giver Through Sacred Expressions of Giving,?by Keith Yoder and Cindy Riker