Season Topic: The Many Facets of Forgiveness
Welcome to episode #2
Our topic for these first few weeks is discussing how to lay the foundation of forgiveness as we learn how to rebuild our lives. When our child dies there are so many people we need to forgive that it can almost paralyze us. Some of the people we need to forgive are obvious to us, and some are not so obvious.
Last week we talked about forgiveness in general. I hope you took away something helpful from last week’s episode, and if you haven’t listened to it, that you will do so.
Are you having a hard time forgiving yourself for your child’s death?
If only I had…
If only I knew…
If only I was…
I am sure you can easily fill in the blank of at least one of those.
The “what ifs” and “if onlys” can be pure torture on how we could have or should have done things differently to be able to stop what happened. We can also struggle with forgiving ourselves for not being with our child when he or she took their last breath on earth.
No one should carry the burden or blame of their own child’s death, and there are things we can do to help release ourselves from guilt.
Some of the things talked about in today’s episode are:
• You can’t do something with information you don’t have
• Why are we not talking to ourselves the same way we would to someone else?
• Realizing our child is not holding anything against us
• A new thought that we have taken the burden of grief on ourselves, so they won’t have to experience it
• Unforgiveness and playing the blame game puts us on the devil’s playing field
We also discuss how forgiveness, which includes forgiving ourselves, gives us a foothold to climb out of the deep, dark pit of intense grief.
I believe in speaking things out….
If you would like the prayers/words of forgiveness to be spoken out loud that will be talked about in this podcast season, just let us know below where to send them.
Links referred to in this podcast episode:
Birthdays: If you would like your child mentioned on the podcast the week of their birthday, click here to fill out the short form with the needed information.
This week we celebrate
- Adam Sharp, birthday 4/21/95, forever 19
- Abigail (Abi) Jane, birthday 4/25/15, forever 18 months
The special song I wrote for our children’s birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here. (It is the song that plays in the background of the birthday segment.)
To consider having me come and speak (or just to get together if you live close to where we will be traveling, as shared in the podcast) email us at office@gpshope.org.
Amazon link to the book Imagine Heaven by John Burke
Please remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE!
You are safe here. No masks needed…
Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose.
It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgement in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.
www.gpshope.org
Thank you I needed to hear this one. When your child dies from a drug overdose you never stop questioning if only I didn’t believe his lies and if only I didn’t let him back in my house? Would Kyle still be alive. This horrible disease of addiction doesn’t let you stop blaming yourself. If only I didn’t get divorced if only I saw his depression if only, if only! I thank or Lord Kyle doesn’t have to live in pain any longer and I am trying to climb out of this hole!
Sue, I am so very sorry. You have extra layers of grief that are so hard to peel off and lay aside. I pray as you continue on this journey that all of those “what if” questions will start to subside, and the pain will ease some. Give yourself lots of grace on this unwanted path. Hugs to you!