Article July 22, 2013 ISSUE

My birthday present: forgiveness

Kathryn Jones Dunton

It was my special day, and I was feeling joy-filled and grateful as I received a congratulatory call from a friend. Quickly, however, the tenor of the conversation became negative and critical. All the joy I had been feeling evaporated. Instead of feeling loved by my friend, I felt maligned and judged, and when we hung up I felt sad and empty. “My birthday is ruined!” I thought as I fixated on the meanness.

Then this angel message came: “Your birthday doesn’t have to be ruined. You may choose how you respond: mortal mind rumination or Christly forgiveness.”