Unexpected Blessings Forgiveness: Unexpected Blessings

By Cindy Rogers

This book is written by amazing women who share their journey of forgiveness. I hope you will enjoy reading their stores of how they overcame and forgave different circumstances, people and even themselves. They share stories of abuse, betrayal, loss and how God's guidance allowed them to forgive and live a full and happy life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raised Bridges
• Release date: Mar 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223541585

Book preview

Foreword

It Starts with Us

Visionary Author, Cindy Ann Rogers

When I think of forgiveness , I think of so many instances in my life when I felt I had been abused, wronged, or even mistreated. There are so many emotions involved in forgiving someone or even being forgiven. I believe forgiveness starts with us. We have to be able to forgive one another in order to feel complete or at peace with ourselves. For me, I had to start by first forgiving myself, and then I had to ask forgiveness from those I had hurt or wronged and ask them for forgiveness.

I prayed long and hard for forgiveness. I could write about the many different tragedies that have occurred in my personal life, but I can honestly say I have forgiven all those situations and people that put me or my family in harm's way. But what I wish to concentrate on is being able to forgive myself. You have to understand that none of us, including myself, are without flaws. I am a sinner who has sinned and done things in my life that I am not proud of. I have a history of making poor choices, some of which have had a huge impact on my life and the lives of others, including my children and family. I ask forgiveness for my wrong choices and for any harm I caused.

I have asked God for forgiveness, and I know he forgives me. The scripture in Mark 11:25 tells us, And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. I have forgiven anyone and everyone I felt had done me wrong in any way, whether intentionally or unintentionally. I've made peace with the fact that I had harbored negative feelings toward others, as well as with my thoughts and insecurities.

I also forgave myself for not allowing forgiveness for many years. I had carried around resentment, unpleasant memories, and even hatred in my heart. I know hate is a strong word, and it's not something I am proud to say I felt.

One day, I had an awakening while talking to a friend. We were discussing the subject of spiritual guidance and unexpected blessings as well as how we determine what it is that God wants us to do with our lives. I began telling her about a dream I had where God was telling me to let go of my anger and to forgive. At first, I was unsure of what it was that I needed to come to terms with and as I spoke with my friend I was reminded of a memory from my younger years. It was a memory that I had kept buried for many years and one that I felt had the greatest impact on my life. I knew I had to free myself from the burden of the hatred I had held in my heart. My friend had shared with me that she also received a message from God that same morning instructing her to assist someone who needed help overcoming hatred. That day, God had brought us together, guiding us to the same table where we could eat dinner and share about our day and our thoughts. When we realized He had brought us together for a specific purpose we both cried. She helped me to identify what was heavy on my heart and to respond to God's message he had for both of us.

It took lots of prayer and reflection to get past my hatred. But you know as well as I do that prayer changes things! I'm not sure who first wrote that saying, but I do know that it's true. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains. Have you ever seen a mustard seed? Consider what we could accomplish if we all had even a small amount of faith. I pray for guidance and forgiveness daily, and it has helped me to overcome the hold my past has had over my existence.

My mountain was hatred. The thought that I'd been carrying around that burden for the better part of my life makes me ill. Yet, because forgiveness is available to me and because I have God, I no longer have to bear the burden of hatred. And I can tell you now that I've let go of not forgiving what happened, the memories of it, and the people I held contempt for. I feel much relief and happiness. Until we let go of all the bitterness, we cannot truly live. When we are able to forgive, life becomes so much sweeter and enjoyable.

I sincerely hope your time spent reading the accounts of forgiveness by the Christian women authors contained in this book are enjoyable to you. As I have read through these memoirs, each and every one of them has left an impression on my heart. I have shed tears of joy as well as tears from pain while reading this book. I am so grateful that the authors shared their journey of forgiveness with readers all around the world. These women are disciples of God and share their stories in the hope that someone who reads them will be blessed.

God has given me the opportunity to serve him through writing and by sharing stories with you. I have received many blessings, many of which were unexpected. I pray that you will be able to forgive any circumstance or person that you have needed to, and in doing so will allow God to bless you as well.

About the Author Cindy Ann Rogers

Cindy Ann Rogers is a leader in healthcare that has dedicated her life to serving others and helping them through the most difficult times of their lives. She is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Director of Respiratory, Cardiology and Neurology Services.

Cindy is a multiple time international best-selling author. She is the owner of Raised Bridges, LLC where she helps others tell their own story through books and journals. She is a visionary author leading others to tell their stories.

Cindy obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgia Southwestern and an MBA in Project Management from American Intercontinental. When not working or writing, she enjoys collecting vintage treasures, going on rides with her husband in their Model A, gardening, and crafting. Cindy is an optimist and makes it a priority to share positivity in everything she does.

She has published two anthologies; Return to Me – My Scars are Healed and Unexpected Blessings – Finding Joy and recently released her first novel; Trapped Spirit.  You can find her books on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Follow her Author page Cindy Ann Rogers on Amazon for updates.

Contact Cindy on her website and blog; www.Raisedbridges.com or through

Email at: [e-mail]

Chapter One

I Forgive Them

Featured Author - Minister, Kay Kizer

What does Yahweh say about forgiveness? The scripture in Ephesians 4:32 says, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.

Many of us may need the motivation to forgive those who have hurt us. Several scriptures I share with you in this chapter will greatly help. Yeshua (Jesus) taught the art of forgiveness. He is our example of how to do this well.

I have several memories that I can recall quite quickly while living with a foster family—they are not happy memories, and many of the stories I share, unfortunately, are not. I was sitting on the front porch with my foster mom one day. I believe I was 5 or 6 years old. She was smoking a cigarette, and when she finished it, she did the unthinkable. Instead of using an ashtray, she used my hand to put