Betrayal…Forgiveness

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself. ~Harriet Nelson

Have you ever been betrayed? By a parent? By a mate? By a friend? Many of us have, and if you haven’t, chances are you will at some point in your life.

In Something New, my debut novel to be released April 27, 2012, the topic of forgiveness is a reoccurring subject throughout the story. While Simone Edwards and Tim Hollister, the two main characters, fall madly and passionately in love, they struggle with pardoning those who have wronged them. Both have been emotionally scarred by someone they’ve loved, and in learning to trust one another, they first have to find a way to move beyond past hurts.

When people hear the word betrayal, they often think of a mate or spouse’s betrayal, but keep in mind there are many different types of deceptions. And if you’re on the receiving end of someone’s duplicity, it might seem impossible to move beyond it…but it is possible. You have to figure out what works for you, and know that you’ll never have peace in your heart if you can’t get pass the anger. And the only way to get pass the anger, is to forgive. For those of us who believe in the Bible, we know that “if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matt. 6:14

I remember years ago, in my very early teens – eleven or twelve, a girl I grew up with read my diary. Mind you, I’m a fairly private person (and back then even more so). For me (at that age), having someone to read your diary without your permission, is like the ultimate betrayal. Personal thoughts, wild ideas, and just things you might want to get off your chest, securely locked within the pages of your diary – only to be read by an unauthorized person. Granted, I have no idea of whether or not she shared any information, but the fact that she’d betrayed my trust, stuck with me for years. I’m embarrassed to say, it took me that long to forgive her. Now that I’m older (and wiser), it doesn’t take me as long to forgive, but as for my journals these days, I have a disclaimer on the inside of the covers: “Read at your own risk! There just might be something in here about you!”

Uh, back to Something New – rest assured – though the novel deals with this emotional subject – Something New is a sweet romance, and all of you romance readers out there know that in romance – you’re guaranteed a happy ending. Tim and Simone’s story is no different. As you read the novel – you’ll smile at times; and laugh out loud at others. And for you sensitive souls out there, you might even shed a tear.

So as you wait for the release date of Something New, think about this: Are you slow to forgive? Have you knowingly wronged someone, but haven’t asked for forgiveness? Or do you claim to forgive – but never forget?

Feel free to share your thoughts. And if you have a favorite quote or Bible verse you stand on to move past betrayal on your route to forgiveness – please share.

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