Forgive and Forget by Katie Clark - Guest Post

Today, we welcome Katie Clark to A Bed of Roses...Thorns Included.

Katie Clark has been telling stories since she was seven years old. When she grew up and realized people liked hearing the stories, well, she was hooked. She spends her days telling tales to her two wee daughters, and she wouldn’t trade it for the world. Katie’s published works include her upcoming YA novel, Vanquished, the first book in the Enslaved series, as well as numerous children’s books. You can learn more at her website, www.katieclarkwrites.com. 

FORGIVE AND FORGET

By Katie Clark

It’s so easy to hold a grudge—especially when someone has truly, deeply wounded you. That feeling of hurt can last for days, months, years, and it can be especially hard around the holidays.

That is, unless you accept the all-encompassing forgiveness offered through Christ. Easier said than done? I don’t think so.

So, how does one do this? How does one forgive and forget? Life is a struggle, and the process may be different for everyone, but here are a few tips that may help along the way.

•          Realize it is okay to forgive. I held a grudge against someone for a long time. I held the grudge because I thought that if I forgave and forgot, it meant I condoned what the person had done. On the day I realized that my forgiveness didn’t mean I agreed with that person’s choice, I felt like I had been set free!
•          Realize it’s healthy for you to forgive. Focusing on the anger is a sure way to neglect your other duties. Forgiveness allows you to go on with what God has intended for your life. Leave God to work on the other person’s heart.
•          Realize that prayer is your greatest weapon not your last resort. Pray for the person who has wronged you. Love the person who has wronged you. There is no surer way for your own joy to be restored.

And always remember that your Heavenly Father is full of mercy and love, as well as forgiveness toward you. He loved you so much he sent his son to be born in a lowly manger. May we all live to emulate Him!

And here's a peek at Katie's upcoming release Vanquished.

When Hana’s mom is diagnosed with the mutation, she is denied the medication that might save her life.  Fischer, a medic at the hospital, implies there are people who can help—except Hana’s not sure she can trust him; Fischer is involved in a religious group, and religion has been outlawed for the last hundred years.  Hana embarks on a dangerous journey, seeking the answers Fischer insists are available. When the truth is uncovered does Hana stick to what she knows?  Or does she join the rebellion, taking a stand against an untrustworthy society?

Thanks for joining us Katie, and helping with the kick-off of the end-2013-with-a-bang-and-enter-2014-with-a-gift give-away. You'll have to come back when Vanquished is released. :)

To find out more about the give-away, click here.

Blessings,