Unity of Auburn

Letter From The Board

A Gift From God
The Power of Forgiveness

It is difficult to forgive, especially when it seems unjust. For various reasons and circumstances, I left home at the age of fourteen to work for my board and room, in four different homes, during my high school years. To survive I learned not to take speech or actions of others personally. I realized it was my own attitudes which made my experiences what they were.

I believe there are three principles in this process. Number one: define your feelings in this experience. Are you disappointed, disillusioned; why is the hurt there for you? Do you deny your feelings, or recognize them and own them? Number two: decide to forgive; ask God, (through prayer and meditation), for the strength and direction to forgive others involved in the situation. And number three: the most important step, forgive yourself, the hardest person to forgive, for allowing it.

One Sunday morning, I watched Reverend Schuller from the Crystal Cathedral, and he spoke on this subject. I have never forgotten this sermon. He said, “Picture a weary old man, trudging up a steep hill, with a huge pack on his back, filled with old grudges.” I quoted this to one of my dearest friends, when she called me one morning. She was struggling with the hurt of critical conversation from another. She said “God led me to call you this morning, at the age you are, if you held old grudges, you wouldn’t even be able to get up that hill.” Then we laughed, together.

In meditation on this subject a message came to me. What did Christ say from his agony on the cross?” Not “Father, tell me how to forgive them! In His infinite goodness and mercy, he had already forgiven. Rather he said, “Father (You) forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

ASK THE BOARD

Yes folks there is a box where you can make suggestions to the Board. Before every meeting we check it out for Great Ideas, Suggestions and Compliments or Complaints. We seldom find anything and I know there are Great Ideas out there worth far more than gold!! Let us hear from you.

In Love,
Sharon Hardie, Treasurer

MinistryTeams

All of our teams support our mission that Unity of Auburn is a welcoming spiritual community advancing a positive message that teaches people of all ages and faiths how to thrive in a changing world. If serving on one of the teams below calls to you, please let us know. It takes all of us to do the wonderful work we are doing in our community and in the world. You can contact us at 530-888-6489 or by email uofa@unityofauburn.com