Wonderfully Messy Mom: March 2014

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Spring Sunshine Body Splash Guest Post

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Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers Book Review

Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers

Book Review

By Leslie Leyland Fields and Dr. Jill Hubbard

I chose this book for two reasons, my father and my mother. I grew up with a childhood like most of us, dysfunctional. When I had read what this book was about I thought, why not, it couldn't hurt.

The author tells her story of pain and her rough estranged relationship with her father. She also tells the story of others rocky relationship with their parents. All the stories are laced with abuse, loneliness, dysfunction. But it also shows hope.

The stories unfold and tell of small glimmers of something, what is it? Softness, kindness, maybe even some love.

I can relate very well to these stories, how unforgiveness effects our way of dealing with our parents. I held lots of pain from my past that made my relationship with my mother very strained. I moved away and refused to talk to her for a long time.

Leslie tells stories from the Bible and the pain and effects of unforgiveness, and also the act of forgiving that took place, like Jonah. He ran from God and tried to prevent the Ninevites from obtaining forgiveness from their sin if they repented. We can be like that if we refuse to allow God to work in our lives and show kindness to those who hurt us. Leslie also focuses on the fifth commandment "honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:5).

Forgiving our fathers and mothers is an act of honoring them, even if we feel they do not deserve it. Even if they choose not to embrace it and change. We are to honor their position as our parents no matter what they have done or how they have raised us. That's pretty tough!

She wraps the book up with all the stories reaching that point of restoration and forgiveness. It is a beautiful book and gives others that much needed nudge to take the first step in finding peace and seeking to restore a damaged relationship.

If you have an estranged relationship with a parent, seek God's will for this situation. Be the bigger person, even if you are not in the wrong. It will release you from that hurt and allow you to start the process of forgiving!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”