In Elul, we do what we can to examine our failings and to look for ways to seek both the forgiveness of God and the forgiveness of our neighbour. Sometimes the hardest act of forgiveness is to forgive ourselves and move on to more positive attempts to lead a life of service and justice.
In all our acts of penitence, the whole lot will come to naught unless we place our past, our present, and our future in God's Hands with confidence- for actually it is God alone who can show us true repentance, and God alone who can heal us completely.
Our Past - as we allow God's Compassion to shine on our review of the last year and of our shortcomings during it.
Our Present - as we pray for the insight to be honest and searching in our self criticism without being morbid or despairing.
Our Future - as we hope for the light of inspiration which can show us how to move on into the new year without allowing our pain, our regrets, or our wounded pride to hold us back.
It is God alone who can show us true repentance, and God alone who can heal us completely.
N R Davies
Havdalah Aug 21
Havdalah Aug 21
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