I began filling out my passport application. I’m going along quite nicely until I get to the part where it asks the date I got divorced or widowed. I had to think really hard on the date I got divorced, and I can’t quite pinpoint the exact date.
Earlier in the application process they asked if I had ever been married. Piece of wedding cake!! (finger snap for emphasis) I knew right off the bat the date my last marriage occurred. OK, if I’m going to be really honest, I can remember the dates of 2 out of the 3 times I’ve been married but I can’t remember the dates I got divorced.
So I go to my “divorce” file. I hate this file. It reminds me I failed. Not gonna lie, it’s a file that still makes me cry. I’m not entirely healed of that mess just yet. I realize I still carry some shame from that and I have to place that mess at the foot of the cross and let my Savior step in and heal the wounds. I have…no…scratch that…I need to let His love and truth cover the stain of my humanness. Jesus, I need You!!
When I was in the Air Force, we had to wear name tags on our uniforms that displayed just the last name. For the most part of my career, non-flyers wore a sewn-on name tag on their utility uniform or what is now called Airman Battle Uniform. However, the flyers wore a Velcroed name tag, one that could easily be taken on or off.
After my third wedding, my spouse and I attended my squadron’s Christmas party. I don’t remember a whole lot about that party, but I do remember during that party when everyone in the squadron was receiving gifts. I remember when they called my name and made a small speech about my “gift.” They made fun of the fact I had been married a third time and said that I should go to a more temporary means of putting my name tag on and proceeded to hand me an empty Velcro flyers version of a name tag. They all laughed and I died a little on the inside from being mortified.
Forgiveness….I need to forgive them. In my mind, they don’t deserve my forgiveness. They were cruel and they laughed at my expense because they thought it was funny. They put a nail in my flesh and I had covered up the nail with hurt, humiliation, and hate. It was buried.
To be honest, I’d forgotten about this event. As I started writing this story, I really didn’t know where I was going with it. In fact, I had started taking a different road and got stuck. I sat back and asked Him to show me, and the memory plopped in my head. I was stunned. I started crying…a lot. I didn’t even remember their names, but I do now. I remember the room, I remember the feeling, I remember their faces, and I remember the name tag. I remember throwing it in the trash.
Sometimes, in order to move forward, you have to go back to the beginning. It’s a necessary part of healing. Yup, not gonna lie, it hurts. My eyes are puffy, my face is red, and countless Kleenex lay on the floor.
So I say their names out loud, one by one, I say “I forgive you,” and then send a blessing their way. I don’t want anything standing in the way of His redeeming grace. I want to know the fullness of my Savior’s love, so I remember His words “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,”~~ Luke 23-34 (ESV) and I step into His grace. And you know what? I may look a little worse for the wear at the moment, but I sure do feel better. Trust Him when He wants to do a work in you…He loves you so much and He knows what He’s doing.
Blessed to be Broken 
Trish as always, your stories always touch my heart. Been there, still am in some areas. Thank you for letting God use you to touch others with your life and transparency. Love you tons chica!!!!
Thanks Sharon!! So thankful for God and His never ending patience!! Love you too my friend!!