DECK THE SOUL WITH BOUGHS OF FORGIVENESS by MaryAnn Diorio

DECK THE SOUL WITH BOUGHS OF FORGIVENESS by MaryAnn Diorio
Thursday, December 2, 2021 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: A Christmas Homecoming

AUTHOR: MaryAnn Diorio

PUBLISHER: The Pelican Book Group, Imprint: Harborlight Books

GENRE: Women’s Fiction

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand-Alone

TARGET AGE: 18-plus

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR MARYANN DIORIO TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. MARYANN REMINDS US OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON.

MARYANN IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING.

DECK THE SOUL WITH BOUGHS OF FORGIVENESS

MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA

(AUTHOR’S NOTE: I originally wrote this article one Christmas, but I believe it applies throughout the year.)

CHRISTMAS! The word evokes many feelings, depending on our experiences. For some, Christmas is a happy time, filled with beautiful memories and joyful expectations. For others, Christmas is a depressing time, a season one wants “to get over with” as quickly as possible because of bad memories associated with this time of year.

Having ministered to people for many years, I have come to the conclusion that depressing memories at Christmas time are most often related to problems of unforgiveness. Hurts from the past become more pronounced during the Christmas season, but the reason those hurts still affect us is that we have not let go of the bitterness associated with them. In short, we have not forgiven the people who have hurt us.

Why do most people have such a difficult time forgiving? I believe the main reason is that they do not understand what forgiveness really means. If you are one of those people, what follows may help you:

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

• Forgiveness is NOT letting someone off the hook.

• Forgiveness is NOT condoning evil.

• Forgiven is NOT being a doormat.

• Forgiveness is NOT having to trust again the person who hurt you.

• Forgiveness is NOT a feeling.

• Forgiveness is NOT an option.

NOW LET’S LOOK AT WHAT FORGIVENESS IS:

• Forgiveness IS taking the person who hurt you off of your hook and placing him on God’s hook, then praying that God will have mercy on him.

• Forgiveness IS acknowledging that evil was done but choosing to bear the consequences of that evil without retaliation.

• Forgiveness IS taking charge of your emotions.

• Forgiveness IS setting boundaries with the person who hurt you, even refusing temporary or permanent interaction with that person, if necessary. An example would be a wife who is being beaten by her husband.

• Forgiveness IS a decision.

• Forgiveness IS obedience to God’s commandment to forgive.

No matter how badly you have been hurt, choose to forgive. It’s the best thing you can do for your own well-being. Unforgiveness chains you emotionally to the person who hurt you.

Forgiveness breaks that chain and sets you free.

What better time is there than the Christmas season to forgive those who have hurt us? The very essence of Christmas is the truth that God forgave humanity through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Who are we not to forgive when God has forgiven us?

So this Christmas, forgive! But don’t just forgive. Ask to be forgiven. As the Word of God tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV). All of us need not only to forgive but also to be forgiven. And as long as we are on this earth, it is never too late to forgive or to be forgiven.

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Blurb for A Christmas Homecoming:

Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?

Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago. Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

PURCHASE LINK (This is an affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3nLqjdG

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING BETWEEN NOW AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12TH AT MIDNIGHT MST.

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of five novels, two novellas, and eight children’s books. Her novel, In Black and White, won First Place in Historical Fiction in the 2020 Christian Indie Awards Contest. MaryAnn’s latest novel, Miracle in Milan, takes the reader on a tension-filled journey back in Italy, where MaryAnn’s trilogy, The Italian Chronicles, also took place. MaryAnn is married to her awesome husband of 51 years. They have two amazing adult daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. When not writing, MaryAnn loves to read, play the piano and mandolin, and make up silly songs with her grandchildren. You can learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at www.maryanndiorio.com.

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Comments

Natalya Lakhno From CA At 12/3/2021 2:28:19 PM

I must confess: I copied it from the other post :) Love it! So true! Thank you my friend!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Thank you for stopping by, Natalya. Have a blessed Merry Christmas season.

MaryAnn Diorio From New Jersey At 12/3/2021 10:58:01 AM

I hear you, Julie! Yes, when we rid ourselves of the load of unforgiveness, we are set free. We can breathe again! Thank you so much for your wise observation. Merry Christmas to you! ~ MaryAnn

MaryAnn Diorio From New Jersey At 12/3/2021 8:40:31 AM

Thank you so much, Patti, for featuring me on your blog today. I greatly appreciate it. Blessings, MayrAnn

Reply by: Patti Shene

Thank you for sharing your message with us, MaryAnn. I believe this is an all-important message that needs to be heard. May your Christmas season be blessed.

Julie Grace From Missouri At 12/3/2021 12:49:20 AM

Love the message and it is one that hit close to home for me. Once I was tired of my struggle, I turned it over to God. Since forgiving, it seems as though I'm talking about another person. Can't wait to read your book.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Julie. Thank you for sharing your personal journey with us. It is amazing how God lightens our hearts when we turn our burdens over to Him. Have a blessed Merry Christmas.