CLEANSED

Written by Luz Leigh – 21 August 2008

 

Today I did what needed to have been done for a long time.   I “cleansed” my life of some very unpleasant memories.  Friends had told me to “let go” and I thought I had, but the haunting memories kept recurring.  While flipping through some letters in a file, there were some that held hurting words in them.   Accusations from a woman who professes to be a Christian.  Words she had used to describe me to a struggling young Christian man who did not know her as she truly is. When this took place it hurt me very deeply, but for some reason I kept her letters.  As I sat reading her words today, I felt sorry for the woman.  She must be most miserable, presenting herself as a righteous person when she is not.  But she will be the one to face the judgment, not I.   Proverbs 30:10 says “Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it.”  Psalm 101:5 tells us (he LORD is speaking) “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.  I will not endure conceit and pride.”

            I took the letters, ran them through the shredder and said “goodbye” to the hurtful words.  No longer can her words eat at my soul like a cancer.  My heart feels like the good Earth must feel following a refreshing summer rain.  I feel cleansed.  Free of a burden.

            Have you ever been slandered by someone?  You know how I have felt these many months.  Have you ever slandered someone?  If so, go to that person and make things right.  To those whom you told not the truth, go to them and explain that you were wrong to say the things you did.  We can never fully take back what we have said about someone, but do make the effort.

            Someday the Lord may convict this person to apologize and try to erase the ugly things she said.  But, to be truthful, I rather doubt it.  I will just move on with my life and leave her for the Lord to deal with.

             For now, I feel free of a burden.   Thank You, Lord.