Sunday 17 March 2013

Hope


First of all, I am sorry that I haven’t written in here for several weeks now.  Things have been going relatively well with Cassandra.  She is getting proper exercise, taking very good vitamin supplements, and we have begun dialoguing using a very good Christian marriage program. 

We are not completely out of the water yet, as Cassandra’s biological family still has a very strong pull regarding her world view and her views on men.  I have noticed that the more time she spends talking to her sister, the more unhappy and angry she is.  The more happy and at peace she is, the less time she wants to spend talking to her sister and mother.  

I have no control over what Cassandra thinks or what Cassandra does.  I only have control over what I think and do.  As Kim Gemmel says, “Although we may not have a choice with the cards we are dealt at times, we always have a choice with how we play them.”  There is great power in this.  I have chosen to see my situation as an opportunity for growth.  

I have always done my best, but I have not always done the right thing.  One thing that I know is right, however, has been letting go of the hurtful things said to me.  Nicky Gumbel says, “When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power.”  We don’t make them right, but we do make ourselves free.  We give ourselves the gift of peace.  From there, we can move forward and see more clearly the right path.  

With Cassandra, there are good times and bad times.  Yes, I have chosen to stay.  I have chosen to try to work things out with the mother of my children.  I have made this choice largely for the sake of my children.  The result has been tremendous growth and internal peace.  It has taken a great deal of work, as well as God’s grace, to achieve this growth, and it has been beautiful.  I know that I am just starting to tap into the incredible power that lies inside of me.  I know, without a doubt, that a life of joy and blessing lies before me.

I pray that your path is the same.  Remember the words of Rhonda Byrne, "There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. Every single circumstance of your life can change!"

Christian