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Pause and Ponder

When the Sun Rises: What Forgiveness Is Not 

As the sun breaks the horizon on Resurrection Sunday, we are reminded of the light that pierces the darkest corners of our lives. 

Forgiveness, a concept often misunderstood, is not a quick dismissal of wrongs or a denial of justice. It is not pretending the offense never happened, nor is it a license for the guilty to escape accountability. The Bible tells us that everything is laid bare before the One to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). There are no secrets hidden from His eyes, no injustice He will overlook.

Forgiveness is not forgetting. It’s not pretending that hurt doesn't exist. God Himself declares, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" (Romans 12:19). The Lord is love, but He is also a consuming fire, and He promises that the guilty will not go unpunished (Nahum 1:3). In His perfect timing and wisdom, He will bring justice.

But here’s the truth that sets us free: forgiveness is not for the benefit of the offender—it is for us. Carrying the weight of bitterness and anger darkens our souls and blinds us to the beauty of the sunrise. When we choose to forgive, we hand over the burden to God, trusting Him to be both Judge and Redeemer. It is in that release that the light of His love dawns upon our darkness, healing wounds that only He can mend.

Forgiveness does not excuse sin; it entrusts justice to the One who sees all. It does not deny the pain but invites the Comforter to transform it. This Resurrection Sunday, as the morning sun paints the sky, let it remind you of the power of God's light to dispel even the deepest shadows. 

Forgiveness is the doorway through which the Son rises in our hearts, bringing hope, peace, and the promise of new life.

Shattered, Yet Whole: The Journey from Pain to Power

In the quiet aftermath of so much pain, when it felt like the world had taken more than anyone could bear, something surprising begins to happen. 

It’s not obvious or dramatic, but if you pay attention, you’ll see it—small but real changes: a shift in posture, a little more eye contact, the first steps toward something that feels like normal again.

Women who once thought they’d never feel safe again, who spent years walking on eggshells, start to change—slowly, cautiously, like testing the ground after a long fall. The trust they lost doesn’t come back all at once, and and hope doesn’t just burst through the door like an old friend returning. But then, little by little, things shift. They stand a little taller. They say “no” and mean it. They laugh and don’t immediately feel guilty. 

The scars that used to remind them of everything they went through start to mean something else: proof that they’re still here, still standing, and figuring out what comes next.

Their scars now mark them as survivors—proof that they were never meant to be defined by their pain, but by their strength to rebuild. 

In the tenderness of these new beginnings, there’s a truth they hadn’t known before: they are not just recovering, but creating something new—something beautiful, something whole.

Discover guidance and growth—connect with a mentor or explore our programs today!

Empowered Voices: Healing and Hope in Our Spanish-Speaking Community

Since January, Mending the Scarred’s Spanish group has been a powerful space for women survivors to connect, heal, and grow—proving that language is never a barrier when it comes to finding strength. 

Above, a group of compassionate leaders and volunteers holding up prompt posters, gently encouraging Spanish-speaking women to speak their truth, share their stories, and hold on to hope. 

Spanish:

Capturadas en estas imágenes hay más que solo una reunión: es un espacio donde las mentes se iluminan y las almas se elevan.

Cada tercer lunes del mes, nuestro grupo en español en el Centro Internacional de la Familia en Orlando se reúne, no solo para conversar, sino para crecer, reflexionar y empoderarnos mutuamente.

Esta jornada comenzó hace apenas tres meses, el tercer lunes de enero, y lo que ves aquí es nuestro tercer encuentro. Sin embargo, en tan poco tiempo, las conexiones, las conversaciones y el impacto han sido profundos.

Con Biblias abiertas, expresiones reflexivas y una misión compartida, abordamos temas que nos desafían, nos inspiran y nos llevan más allá de nuestra zona de confort.

Algunas conversaciones encienden una introspección profunda, otras avivan nuestra fe, pero todas nos conducen a un mismo propósito: fortalecer nuestra conexión con Dios y entre nosotras.

Mira más allá de la mesa, las notas y las tazas de café—lo que realmente verás es una comunidad de mujeres firmes en la fe, levantándose unas a otras y caminando juntas en un camino de transformación.

¡Únete a nosotras! Cada tercer lunes, mismo lugar, misma misión: crecimiento, sanidad y fe en acción.

Voices of Resilience: Art as Healing

🎉 Celebrating Strength: S.H.A.P.E. Class Graduation!

We celebrate YOU—our incredible graduates of the S.H.A.P.E. class! 💜 You have taken bold steps toward healing, growth, and purpose, and we couldn’t be prouder. Through faith, community, and courage, you’ve embraced your unique journey and unraveled the knots of the past to step into a future filled with hope.

This is just the beginning! Keep shining, keep growing, and know that you are never alone. Congratulations on this milestone—we can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you! ✨ 

Let’s make this an unforgettable experience together!

Dates: June 6–8, 2025
Location: San Pedro Spiritual Development Center
95 Bishop Grady Lane, Winter Park, FL 32792

Sponsor a Survivor

Imagine the profound impact you can have on a woman who has endured the unthinkable—abuse, trauma, and heartache. 

Your sponsorship isn't just a donation—it's an investment in the restoration of a life. It’s a chance to show a woman who has suffered that she is seen, valued, and worthy of the care and healing she so desperately needs. 

Every session provides a safe space for her to process her pain, rebuild her self-worth, and reclaim the strength that trauma tried to take from her.

Spread the Healing: Invite Others to Join Our Journey

Every journey toward healing becomes more powerful when shared. 

If our newsletter has inspired, uplifted, or encouraged you, we invite you to share it with others who might benefit as well! Encourage your friends, family, or colleagues to subscribe. Together, we can extend the reach of hope, understanding, and connection to even more hearts.

Let’s grow this community of healing—one invitation at a time.

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