Article April 17, 2000 Issue

What ever happened to Judas?

Easter—a time to forgive oneself

By Diana Davis Butler

WHAT DO YOU DO  when you look back on decisions that deeply affected others, that are irreversible, and that were clearly wrong? No matter what the rationalization was at the time, you now deeply regret the actions taken. But you cannot go back and undo the damage. In some cases you can't even apologize to the people involved.

These were my thoughts as I rode to church one Sunday feeling guilt-ridden and sorrow-filled. Humbly, I turned to prayer for an answer.

I have always believed God is divine Spirit and the only creator. Therefore I must, in truth, be God's spiritual and perfect child. Each of us is. I could see that my troubles in years past were not from God. The resulting undesirable traits and actions were not, could not be, part of my spiritual identity. But somehow that knowledge wasn't enough.

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