Letting Go Of The Past (Part L)

This was one party where I was happy to just spend time with only one person.

 About thirty of us were dining at a beautiful​​ Khmer Thai Restaurant in Cambodia. There were interesting conversations and exciting exchanges of information throughout the evening.

 Even though I was a party animal, I was held spellbound by Bopea Raksmey, affectionately known as Bong by her friends.

 Bong was relating her life story to me.

 It was a moving story of how she grew up through intense loneliness, hurt and sorrow. Yet, with courage, she found hope in hopelessness, love in a seemingless loveless family.

 Bong not only broke free of her emotional prison, she went on to serve as a Centre Manager for ‘Caring a prisoner’s children’ at Prison Fellowship Organization in Cambodia.

 I have Bong’s permission to share part of her story.

 Bong grew up in a broken family.

 She was abandoned by her father when she was still in her mother’s womb.

 You can imagine she grew up with many layers of emotional baggages – feeling rejected and crying without any reason.

 To make matters worst, Bong had to live with a mother who  was struggling with her own emotional distress.

 They hardly go out or have a meal together. She could not remember any love, hugs, or words of kindness.

 Bong’s memory of her mother was the times her mother cursed her.

 She would beat her with a stick, hose, or anything that she could get hold of.

 Bong hated her mother and even prayed to any gods to take her mother’s life.

 When she saw her friends’ parents driving her school mates, she would become jealous and cry in self pity.

Bong could not focus on her studies. She stopped studying when she was in the 8^th grade and started working when she was 16 years old.

 Bong tried to find love in a man but all she got in return was more hurt, pain and sorrow. She tried to commit suicide by swallowing 12 diet pills but somehow, her life was spared.

 During a public event, Bong had a turning point in her life. She made a decision to ask our Creator for forgiveness.

 Our Creator not only forgave her but also renewed her life. He offered to give her an overflowing of life.

 Bong found a new community of friends. In her words, “I have Someone who lives in me – teaching me, caring for me, and loving me all the time.”

 Bong was reminded that she has not forgiven her mother.

 Her unforgiving spirit caused her to carry anger in her heart and it was manifested in her communication with the people around her.

 Bong decided to forgive her mother. She took a lot of courage to hug her and told her that she loved her.

 Bong said, “I felt like something was taken out of my mind. I felt freedom coming through my life.”

 She felt that she was set free from anger and many other emotional burdens.

 Through forgiveness, she freed herself. Bong was freed to live and enjoy her life.

 Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Please go to ‘Notes’ found below my profile picture.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!

Question: How can we set ourselves free through forgiveness?