Choosing to Forgive

DeLong Clark Diane

Description

Growing up in Upstate New York during the 1940s and 1950s was idyllic in many ways, with wintertime sledding and summer days spent on the shores of Lake Ontario. But even though she was involved in school activities and had friends, Diane harbored a painful secret: her father was an alcoholic. Often out of work, he might explode with rage at the dinner table because someone chewed too loudly, or accuse Dianes mother of infidelity, or pass out naked, sprawled across his bed, within sight of anyone who came to the front door. Not surprisingly, Diane learned to fear, resent, and mistrust her father.Unfortunately, there are many stories like Dianes, in which families are traumatized by abuse. Hers could have ended there, but thanks to a loving God, it did not. What makes Dianes story different is that she learned about the power of forgiveness. In Choosing to Forgive she shares her insights into this most precious but sometimes mysterious gift from God. How do we forgive people when they have deeply wronged us? What if we dont want to? What does forgiveness look like in everyday life?Diane has asked these questions and others in her journey toward forgiving the man who caused her such pain. Intended for both those whose circumstances are similar to Dianes and those simply want to learn more about forgiveness, this moving memoir tells the story of how forgiveness freed her to have a rich and happy life.

Sujets

• Lettres et linguistique

Informations

• Publié par: Inspiring Voices
• Date de parution: 18 avril 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781462401291
• Langue: English

Extrait

Choosing to  Forgive
 
 
Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent
 
 
Diane DeLong Clark
 
 


 
 
Copyright © 2012 Diane DeLong Clark
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
All Scripture references are taken from the New International Version/ The Message Parallel Bible, copyright 2004, published by The Zondervan Corporation
 
 
 
Inspiring Voices books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:
 
Inspiring Voices
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.inspiringvoices.com
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
 
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
 
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0129-1 (e)
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0130-7 (sc)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012937132
 
Inspiring Voices rev. date: 04/12/2012
Contents
Acknowledgments  
Foreword  
Preface  
Part 1 / The Memoir  
1.   The Silence  
2.   The Fear  
3.   The House  
4.   The Memories  
5.   The Visitors  
6.   The Road  
7.   Daddy  
8.   Mother  
9.   Siblings  
10.   High School  
11.   My Wedding Day  
12.   Interlude  
Part 2 / The Choice  
13. A New Perspective  
14. Making the Choice  
15. Being Intentional  
16. The Grudge  
17. The Servant  
18. Letting Go  
 
Epilogue  
Afterword  
About The Author  
Appendix  
 
 
Acknowledgments  
I must first give praise to Jesus Christ, for without Him I would have nothing of importance to write about. He is my inspiration in this life and my hope for eternity. I’ve simply tried to listen to His promptings and obey.
To my son, Brian, a heartfelt thanks, for you taught me the art of sentence structure and how to be more creative in sharing my story. Your knowledge and expertise has been invaluable.
A great big thank you to Pastor Ben White who served as my great encourager when I would begin to have doubts about my abilities as a writer, reminding me that it is God who enables, not me. He spent hours reading on his own time, correcting my grammatical errors, and writing little funny comments in the margins to make me laugh. Thank you Ben!
My greatest support came from my husband, Creighton, who patiently listened to chapter after chapter as I made changes and additions. And, most of all for his love and encouragement throughout the process of remembering and reliving my childhood. I love you very much!
I would also like to say thank you to those at Inspiring Voices who have been so kind and helpful and always there to answer my many questions from the beginning and throughout the process.
And to my readers, thank you for allowing me share my story with you. I would welcome thoughts and comments. You may contact me at [e-mail]
 
Foreword  
There wouldn’t be enough space allotted in a forward to talk about how my wife, Sarah and I feel about Diane Clark, and her husband Creighton, but I’ll do my best to keep it short and to the point.
Diane and Creighton are two of the most loving, hospitable, wisdom-filled individuals we know. We’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve spent with them, and they’ve given us advice that we will never forget nor forsake.
Diane is a gifted poet and songwriter as well. She has a way, when she’s in a room full of people, of breaking quietly into a beautiful song at any moment. And when you hear one of her many poems, it will warm your heart, make you laugh, and maybe even make you cry. She has gifts that she humbly offers to everyone around her. May you consider the story you are about to read a gift. It is an embodiment of Diane’s talent.
These are things you can keep in mind as you delve into the pages that follow. In them you will meet a woman who has faced many trials and hardships. But above all you will sense her gentleness and peace, and get a view into the transcendent and divine that maybe you have never seen before. You are about to read a story about forgiveness that is written by a woman who embodies forgiveness and love to everyone she encounters.
Don’t be fooled for a moment into thinking that these are pithy ideals or merely words written on a page. These are words written with understanding and this is a story from deep within Diane’s heart and soul. She walks it like she talks it!
Benjamin Bradford White
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“A forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note,
torn in two and burned up, so that it can never
be shown against the man.”