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Welcome back to my “All In” blog series.

My last post we talked about what I believe it means to be “All In.” So how are you doing with the forgiveness thing?

Tough I know. What I realized is that not everyone will accept your apology. Perhaps, it’s too late to make things right. You can’t find that person or maybe they have even passed away. Don’t fret, even if you are not able to ask forgiveness, you can go to God and make things right.

NOTE: God knows the sincerity of your heart. Be careful that you that you mean what you say!

Your relationship with God needs to be intimate; no secrets, no lies, not one sided. You need to be respectful, faithful and trusting. It is the most important relationship you will ever have.
Your relationship with others will directly affect your relationship with God. When you harbor unforgiveness and carry baggage, it weighs you down and takes quality time away from God.

Are you willing to forgive those who don’t deserve it, hurt you, and deceived you? Can you wipe the slate completely clean?

Sometimes you like to think you have forgiven, but maybe you missed a spot. What I mean is, are you going to say you forgive, then turn around and talk bad about that person.

I heard a story once about a family the daughter was killed by a drunk driver. The man had true remorse in his heart. The family met the man face to face and forgave him. That’s the kind of forgiveness God is calling you to do.

“If you forgive those who sin against you. Your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NLT

Imagine if God could not forgive you for every time you sinned. A curse word, not tithing, committing adultery, lust, speaking unkindly of others and skipping out on bills. Those may seem like small sins. Sin is anything that is going to compromise your character in God’s eyes.

I’m not saying it’s easy. As my husband used to say, “I’m preaching to the choir.” I spent a whole lot of time in my bible on the subject. The beauty is the more time you spend with God the more He will help you to do what needs to be done to wash clean.

Next blog post, I will talk more about the relationship it’s the key to a joyous and fruitful life.

Ask questions or if you would like me to go into more detail on the subject, just let me know.

Blessings to all!
Lea Ann

I decided to go “All In” with God and completely surrender to His will for my life. I had spent 28 years struggling through a multitude of situations that God brought me through.

My husband passed away over three years ago. He left me with a mess I could not begin to tackle on my own. Overwhelmed, I turned to God. I fully committed every aspect of my life and went “All In.”
I don’t think you fully comprehend what it means to be “All In”. I can’t remember a time I didn’t know God in my life. I then and now am a Christian through and through. During the two years of my husband’s cancer struggle, people watched me close.

People looked at me as an inspiration, strong in my faith, and a rock in a bad situation. On the outside, it would seem that; I was already “All In.”
I was not, because I had unresolved issues in my life. I had broken relationships to mend, and forgiveness to ask for and to give. I was running away from problems and not facing them.

“All In” in my eyes means; to put God in every aspect of your life, clean your heart and get rid of the baggage (guilt, forgiveness, facing problems and not running, amicably mend relationships, quit feeling sorry for yourself). Not an easy thing! I had to swallow my pride and eat a lot of crow. I had to learn to let others help me. It took me two years to straighten up a lifetime of baggage.
If you truly in your heart want to clean up and get right with God, ask Him to help you.

Phase one of the clean up will take time and it will be painful. It’s like having a broken arm. If you want to get full use of it again, it will be a painful process. Focus on how great it will be to do even the little things, you had taken for granted. You will be able to do new things you didn’t think were even possible.
It will be worth it!

God takes us on certain paths in our life so that we may help others.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

I am not a minister and have no formal training, I can only offer you the wisdom I have learned throughout my journey.

Stay tuned for Phase Two “The Relationship”

Blessings
Lea Ann

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/deartexas/2018/11/07/dear-texas-radio-show-286-with-lea-ann-vandygriff

I was recently interviewed on Dear Texas Radio. If you would like to know more about me and my writing follow the link attached.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.
Have a Blessed Day!

Lea Ann