3 AM Porch Ponderings: Coffee, Moonlight, and the Call to Forgive Forward

3 AM Porch Ponderings: Coffee, Moonlight, and the Call to Forgive Forward

The moon still hangs like a silver coin in the inky sky, casting long shadows across my porch. It's 3 AM, a quiet hour for coffee, contemplation, and the gentle discipline of my discipleship class homework. Right now, Lysa TerKeurst's "Forgiving What You Can't Forget" is open on my lap, and the wisdom of the final chapters, 11 and 12, is sinking deep into my soul as I spend this quiet time with God.

Chapter 11, "The Choice to Be Determined, Not Defined," feels particularly resonant in this still hour. TerKeurst speaks to the power we hold in deciding how our past hurts will shape our future. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul's powerful declaration in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Just as Paul intentionally chose to leave the past behind and press into his divine calling, we too have that same choice when it comes to our pain. Will we allow it to define us, trapping us in bitterness? Or will we choose determination, fueled by God's grace, to move towards healing and hope? Jesus Himself came to give us life to the full (John 10:10), and clinging to unforgiveness only allows the enemy to steal that fullness. Our struggles, as Romans 5:3-5 reminds us, can produce perseverance, character, and ultimately, hope – if we choose to be determined in the face of them.  

As the moonlight bathes the porch in its soft glow, I turn to the final chapter, "Living Loved and Forgiving Forward." It’s a powerful call to action, rooted in our identity as beloved children of God. 1 John 4:19 simply states, "We love because he first loved us." This profound truth becomes the bedrock for extending forgiveness. It's not about condoning the hurt, but about freeing ourselves to fully receive and extend the love that defines us in Christ.

"Forgiving forward" – the very concept resonates with the quiet promise of this early morning. It’s about intentionally choosing how we will live, not shackled by the ghosts of yesterday. This aligns beautifully with Ephesians 4:22-24, urging us to put off our old selves and put on the new, created in God's likeness. Forgiving forward is an active step in that transformation. It involves setting healthy boundaries, wisely choosing our companions (Proverbs 13:20), and pressing on towards our God-given purpose (Philippians 3:14). Jesus' own example of loving his enemies (Matthew 5:44) challenges us to move beyond our natural inclinations and choose a path of grace. Ultimately, as Romans 15:13 assures us, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This overflowing hope is found not in clinging to bitterness, but in living loved and forgiving forward.   

In these quiet moments before the world awakens, with the moonlight as my witness and God's Word as my guide, the call to be determined, not defined, and to live loved while forgiving forward feels less like a daunting task and more like a gentle invitation. It's a reminder that even in the lingering shadows of past hurts, the light of God's love and the promise of a new day offer the strength to choose healing, to choose hope, and to choose to forgive – not just for others, but for the sake of our own hearts and the abundant life Christ offers.

What are your early morning reflections on forgiveness and moving forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts as we both navigate this journey.