Sacred Art of Forgiveness: Forgiving Ourselves and Others Through God's Grace Book

We have all confronted the deeply emotional question, Should I forgive him? And from time to time we have all found ourselves stewing in shame and guilt, wondering, How could I possibly face her, let alone ask her to forgive me? At the root of these questions lies a misunderstanding of forgiveness and its healing power.

With clear vision, conviction and humor, Marcia Ford maps for us the territory of forgiveness what it is, what it isn t, why and how to forgive (and be forgiven) and how forgiveness can be a tool for living a life full of spirit and grace, a source of blessings for us and those around us.

From practical, everyday suggestions for maintaining a forgiving frame of mind ( Keep granting yourself absolution day after day. . . . The things we find so hideous about ourselves are usually trifles to God. ) to dealing with deep-seated pains from wounds received long ago ( God s forgiveness is transformational. It changes us into the kind of person who can make our own gracious offer of forgiveness to others in return. ), Ford illuminates the path of forgiveness, revealing that it is an inviting, healing and sacred journey available to us all.

Publishers Weekly

Forgiveness-a simple concept that is complex and difficult to live out-is basic to most all spiritual paths. Ford (Memoir of a Misfit) helps iron out the complexities by sharing personal and historical stories of real people who forgive, giving scriptural encouragement for forgiveness and providing questions and practice exercises at the end of each chapter. What's more, she does all this with an inviting, witty tone reminiscent of a chat with a friend over coffee. Her stated purpose is to provide a book on forgiveness that stresses the spiritual connection we foster with God when we forgive. In doing so, she puts the Divine in the forefront. We forgive because God shows us how: "God wrote the book on the sacred act of forgiveness." Although our call is always to forgive, Ford recognizes the thorniness of forgiving someone who is persistently abusive. "Anyone who tries to make you believe that forgiveness always requires reunion is someone who neither understands forgiveness nor has your best interests at heart," she explains. This primer belongs in the hands of anyone who needs to give or receive forgiveness. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.