Forgiveness

As most of you know, I teach a children's class at our church. My lesson this past Sunday was on Forgiveness. It's a topic we don't hear much about in today's world, but one that needs to be spoken of often. In fact, we need to put it into practice in our everyday lives.

In class, I asked the kids to name some of the things others could do that would hurt them. Some of their answers were: Say bad things about me; kick and punch me; tease me; laugh at me; talk behind my back to other people. I then asked what they needed to do when and if these things happened and they all agreed they needed to forgive. One little girl even said "Even if they don't say they're sorry, we need to forgive them anyway". At 11, she's learned a valuable lesson by saying that. She's the little girl whose Mom died about 4 years ago and she lives with her Dad and her brother in an apartment close to our church.

One boy, who's almost 10, said that people could kill you and I said "yes, they could; but, do you know we can also kill people without physically touching them?" He replied, "of course, we do it with our words". He went on to explain that "when we say hurtful words, they go deep into the person who's listening and if the hurt is bad enough and deep enough, it kills that person on the inside, so they're basically dead". I am pleasantly surprised at the wisdom of these kids. There are adults would would do well to listen and heed what they tell us.

The Bible teaches us that if we want to be forgiven by Almighty God, we must be people who forgive and forgive as often as needed. I've not been that sort of person and I'm not pleased to admit that to you. Of course, some reading this already know that about me. I was a really good grudge-holder for a lot of years; and in some ways, I still am. I'm hoping that I'm learning to let the grudge go and forgive anyone who may have hurt me and do it quickly!

Grudges are ugly things and why we want to carry them around is beyond me, even though I've done it. They start out looking wide-eyed and innocent and you carefully place it in your pocket for safe keeping. Over time the appearance begins to change, and sadly we don't see it. And it grows too ... ever so slowly, it grows and takes up a larger place on our person. If we keep it long enough, we'll need a small suitcase to carry it, but carry it we will. We were wounded you know and we have every right to these feelings! Never mind that it's now grosteque and heavy; we still refuse to see it for what is truly is and we don't ever call it by its rightful name ... Unforgiveness.

For those reading this who are believers in Christ Jesus, I'm writing this to tell you and me that we have no right whatsoever in harboring unforgiveness. We must forgive those who have hurt us, even if they don't tell us they're sorry. And we must remember to choose our words carefully, because they can kill someone deep inside.

I used to think you needed to verbally pound someone on the head to tell them about Christ and the loving mercy and grace He offers to the unsaved. Boy was I wrong. If I've done that to any one reading this, I ask you to forgive me. I've learned that it's by sharing God's grace and mercy and His offer of everlasting life that people will be touched. Not by beating them up and trying to scare them into salvation.

Don't misunderstand me, not being saved IS scary. This life isn't all there is ... heaven and hell are real and they are forever. But it's the love of God that compells men to go to Him and it's His job to secure their salvation. All I can do is point the way to the Maker of all we see on this earth; and I can, from time to time, share what I'm learning.

Once again I tell you that I pray for my family ... sons & daughters; grand-girls; my Fred and our Mom's; brothers & sisters & their spouses; their children and grandchildren and it is my desire that none will be lost. I entrust each of you to the good hands of our Lord. If you don't know Him yet ... will you call His Name right now? He's closer than the next breath you take.

Love to you all.