How do we truly forgive someone?

This question has been on my mind a lot over the past few weeks. Are you the type of person that forgives easily? Or does it take you some time to get over it? Personally, I’m the type that takes forever to get over something. I catalogue it, commit it to my photographic memory, file it under NEVER, and harbor a grudge for all of eternity. I’m exaggerating, of course. However, in my younger days the above said was absolutely true.

For some of us, the hurt we feel runs deep. And it is rooted so deeply inside of us, it has literally grown roots. The more time passes, the longer those roots grow until you are not only angry but now have grown bitter.

Unforgiveness can eat us alive. But the power of forgiveness is healing. What happened to us, whether it be from childhood or adulthood, was beyond our control. We didn’t have a choice in the matter, and we absolutely cannot change what happened. We do, however, possess the choice of forgiving.

We must let it go. Once we turn it loose, our heart begins to heal. It’s not easy by any means, but it’s better than the alternative. I realized I didn’t want to grow to be an old and bitter person who has lived my life being angry about something I cannot change.

The message of forgiveness runs throughout the pages of my novel. Ethan Harrington has been hurt beyond words when his beloved wife, Jessica has an affair. His life slowly implodes as he loses his father suddenly, and then finds out the baby he thought was his belongs to the man Jessica had an affair with.

Ethan begins to have deep feelings of anger and inadequacy and soon begins to buckle under the strain. The only thing he can find comfort in is a bottle of scotch. The dynamics of marriage are explored in great detail throughout this book as well as the ramifications of infidelity.

I invite you to have a look and let me know what you think.

Thank you to Ruth for allowing me the opportunity to be a guest here on My Devotional Thoughts and thanks to Liz of CBLS Promotions.

After All Is Said And Done – Summary

Nobody wakes up one morning and decides that today is the day they are going to cheat on their spouse. When the opportunity presents itself however, it is ultimately a choice. And that choice, whether good or bad, can have irrevocable consequences.

Ethan and Jessica Harrington are doctors who work alongside fellow doctors Gavin and Sarah Williams. After Jessica has an affair with Gavin, their lives are thrown into turmoil as they deal with the aftermath and subsequent fallout.

For the better part of a year the four of them have been working to piece their marriages back together. Sarah and Gavin are still reeling from a devastating miscarriage, while Jessica and Ethan are hesitantly looking forward to the birth of their first child.

Sarah’s hopes are immediately shattered when she learns how far Gavin’s infidelity has gone. Suddenly thrown into an unwanted independence she fights to find her way.

Jessica struggles to repair her marriage to Ethan as they become parents. But when Ethan, a borderline alcoholic, learns a dark secret, his world steadily begins to crumble. His drinking, fueled by this discovery slowly engulfs him. Jessica’s love for him is only matched by her fear of his temper. With his marriage now in pieces and his sanity questionable, Ethan struggles to come to terms with his alcoholism and face his past.

Theirs is a story of the tremendous amount of love some people have for one another, regardless of the pain that is sometimes inflicted.

It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords

My website: https://sites.google.com/site/belindagbuchanan

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmM-Uf6yG4w

A little bit about me:

I have been happily married to my husband for over 21 years now. I have two great sons, two persnickety cats, and 1 unconditionally loving dog who thinks he’s a person.

I am currently working on my second novel, The Monster of Silver Creek, which is due out in October. The follow up book to After All Is Said And Done will be published in 2012.

Giveaway:

One reader will receive and e-book of After All is Said and Done.

Please be sure and leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway for After All Is Said And Done. One comment only please. The winner will be selected at random after the tour is over.

Updated: The giveaway has been extended to October 31 at 9 P.M. Pacific Time.

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Author Links:

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/belindagbuchanan

Blog: http://belindagbuchanan.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Belinda.G.Buchanan.author

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BelindaBuchanan

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4809088

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/belindagbuchanan

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/After-All-Said-Done-ebook/dp/B004TXP4IW

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80271