Home : Blogs : Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate : All About Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Blog

Forgiveness is not human...it's Divine

This video arrested my attention today. The courage of the people of Rawanda continues to inspire the world. The image of the acid eating through the container is one which is unforgettable. It puts the work of forgiveness into an entirely different light. We forgive for ourselves as much as for the sake of others.

Lola Audu, CRS, GRI e-Pro ~ Audu Real Estate

Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.

Posted by Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate on 06/18/2008 11:24 AM

Comments (12)

inspiration, what it means series

Originally posted at: Inspired Real Estate For Today: Forgiveness is not human...it's Divine

Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: Agent Mom
Post is included in group: Rainer's Women's Council of Realtors
Post is included in group: Fraiche Aire
Post is included in group: Inspiration !!

12 Comments on Forgiveness is not human...it's Divine

JUN

2008

Lola, that is a hard one. Asking people to forgive those who killed members of their family for no reason other than they of a different tribe or nation, pushes forgiveness to its limit. It is easy for those who did not experience this for themselves to say forgive, but very different for those whose lives were changed because of it.

Maybe the next generation will be able to forgive those who were not directly responsible for this crime on humanity since they did not participate in the actions of their fathers and should not be held responsible for their father's actions. But to forgive the criminal himself is a tall order.

Lola,

So true...UNforgiveness eats away at us while the perpetrators go 'scott free'...at least on this earth!!! Thanks, Fran

Lola, We MUST find ways to forgive. Without forgiveness we become prisoners trapped inside our own feelings of hate. We are stuck and can't go forward. It's hard to do and unfortunately in many parts of the world it's seems almost impossible. And forgiveness in these very difficult situations can only be acheived by Grace.

That video is very touching. I fear we are going to have a lot of explaining to do to the Big Guy on our day of reckoning. Why do we ignore the problems that parts of Africa are experiencing everyday?

OK, that's enough. I'm getting very sad.

George, Thank you for a thoughtful response. The task that this nation undertook was in some ways akin to the process of reconcilliation that South Africa went through in seeking to deal with the ravages of apartheid. I am inspired by African leaders who have sought to lead their people with courage and conviction in the face of real evil. The president of Rawanda and other leaders deserve admiration for challenging the people of this beautiful nation to look beyond the horror and seek redemption within a reality which defies understanding. This is not something that can be accomplished by the human heart...it requires the assistance and grace of God.

Fran...the larger lesson is that all forms of unforgiveness ultimately poison the one who nurses it in their heart. In fact, the chains of unforgiveness are what binds us to the perpertrator. It's one of the most challenging universal principles of all time...only by God's grace can we begin to grasp Why this is so and what we must do to remain free and whole.

Bryant, Every situation has a message. I have met several individuals from Rawanda, many who fled from this terror. They are some of the most beautiful people that you can ever meet. Their country is also picturesque. That is why it was so unfathamoble that such evil could reside within a country that seemed to be the epitomy of tolerance. I think that the larger lesson here is to force us all to look within ourselves. We often presume that we're far better people than we actually are. When we get a deep honest glimpse of our true core, we are more ready to extend compassion to others. This is one of the lessons that the people in Rawanda can teach us.

Lola, I think about this all the time:

"I think that the larger lesson here is to force us all to look within ourselves. We often presume that we're far better people than we actually are"

Although I consider myself a "nice guy" I have lived a life of excess and waste. The gifts that have been given me were squandered in my younger years. And I've spent the last 10 or so trying to make amends. I just feel I could have done so much more with my talents and it bothers me that I didn't. BUT....it ain't over yet.

Thank you for the post and conversation Lola. I hope we get a chance to meet face to face sometime.

That video was really something. It makes you think. I have had a member of my family murdered and forgiveness is a hard thing to do when it hits close to home. If it was the majority of my family I really don't know if I could do it. But you are right it is for ourselves.

I'm not sure I could I think it would be very difficult. I am certainly not divine.

Lola, That was a great video. As I watched it, I reflect on times/situations that I haven't forgiven/slowly overcoming. Mine aren't nearly as severe as in the video, but difficult nonetheless. FORGIVENESS, is a hard thing for me to do, but I mature, grow older I am getting much better with it.

I like the man's analogy about the container being eaten away on the inside. It is like that, eventually you must let go or it can truly make you ill.

Thank you for sharing this Lola:o)

Lola - Thanks for sharing this important message. The courage and grace that the victims have shown provide such a powerful example of the meaning of forgiveness.

JUN

2008

Wow! That was powerful. It is hard to forgive. Thats why we pray to God to give us the strength to forgive people. If God continues to forgive us for the dumb things we do,we should pray to God to help us forgive people who might have done something bad to us. Thanks for sharing this Youtube video. Great post Lola.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?