In January 2015, I saw a small blurb in our church bulletin
about a daily email reflection series called The Best Lent Ever, offered by
Dynamic Catholic. Moved by what I can only describe as an “unknown force,” I
signed up. I didn’t know then that Matthew Kelly and Dynamic Catholic would become
not only the newest guest, but a permanent resource for my spiritual growth.
Since that time, the daily reflections, books, speaking engagements, and
programs like Holy Moments have become steady companions along my path. Though
the video quality in those early days was far from polished, one episode in
particular reached deep into my soul and wouldn’t let go. It wasn’t until years
later that I discovered the priest behind that powerful message on forgiveness
was Fr. Mike Schmitz. Before I could
even begin to climb out of the dark hole I found myself in, I had to first face
the pain—acknowledge the wounds my family had inflicted upon me—and make the
conscious decision not to let that pain hold me captive. As cliché as it may
sound, it truly was a game changer. There’s
a quote I once heard—I'm not sure who said it first—but it struck a chord:
“Choosing not to forgive is like drinking poison and expecting the other person
to die.” That truth settled into my heart and, over time, became part of my
healing. As the layers of my life
continue to be peeled back, God has gently helped me not only to acknowledge
those I’ve hurt and the ways I contributed to the brokenness in my family, but
also to forgive myself. I know I’m not
the first to say this: forgiveness isn’t a one-time event. It’s not about
pretending that what happened was okay—because it wasn’t. It’s about choosing
to say “no” to the prison of anger, resentment, and self-recrimination, and
saying “yes” to the healing, liberating balm of God’s mercy.
God dropped his 2nd bread crumb!
