Forgiven

Several weeks ago, there was an incident. We were supposed to be having a family function, and one of my family members treated my son and I very poorly. I’m not going to dive into the details, but let’s just go with the fact that it was bad enough that the entire family was upset and it was a pretty big deal. Now, let’s go a step further, and note that I’m a formidable Mama Bear – so needless to say, I was livid. I was shaking because I was sooooo upset.

But, we continued with the family function, and the day, and went on. As the next day arose and I entered my prayer time, I prayed for God to give me a word to forgive. I knew that this was what needed to happen, because enough things have happened in my life, that I know, nothing good comes from drinking the poison of anger, hurt, etc., and expecting the other person to die. I needed to forgive for myself. I also knew this is what needed to happen because I have changed the way I think over the years (see The Now, Back to the Basics, Good day, Reminder, I choose Joy) So, I prayed for a Word. Help me God, to forgive.

Then, I went to church, because where better to hear a Word. Went through the whole service, and no word. Ok. Well, I also heard we were having a guest speaker that night, and he’s always someone I enjoy. So, I went home for the day, and went about my business. Still battling and wrestling with the situation before me. As the time drew closer, I was walking out onto the porch, and my pinkie toe caught my weights laying off to the side, and let’s just say that the rest of my body kept going, and my toe didn’t. I jammed it good and proper. I sucked wind and gasped, and stood very still as my body tried to assess what just happened here. After a few moments, I regained my composure and continued doing what I was doing. About half an hour later, it was time to go to church, so I finished getting ready, and as I was walking out the door, stated to my husband, that I was concerned about my toe – but I would be back after a bit. I get to church, and we start worship, and about half way through, I realize my toe is UPSET. Like starting to become overwhelming. But, I’m here now, and I’m waiting for a word – so I guess my toe will have to wait. About halfway through the sermon – there it was – the Word I was waiting for. As the sermon finished up, I KNEW that my toe was an absolute situation, so as soon as we were “dismissed”, I bolted for the car. As the days went on, I was on the fence about whether or not my toe was broken (and I’ll admit, 6 weeks later, I’m almost positive I broke it because it still hurts and it sits a little funny now. *I did not seek medical attention, because there’s almost literally nothing that they actually do for a broken toe.)

But I told you all that to tell you these 2 things, 1-I believe that God held my pain off, to ensure that I could make it to church to get my word, because aside from the initial pain – I seriously just thought I jammed my toe good – not that it was broken, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have gone to service because I would’ve been elevating it and treating it like it was broken. And 2 – The Word.

“ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:23

There it was. Someone else’s potential forgiveness from the Lord, depends on my attitude. And, there’s another corresponding verse that adds to this statement.

“¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

Woof. Talk about some responsibility. This verse comes right after the Lord’s prayer – I find it a little interesting in looking at it now, that it was not tagged onto the end of it to be a more constant reminder of our responsibility to forgive others.

But there it was. God forgives me of all my sins, and I know that. Sooooo, if I’m in a consistent state of trying to be more like God, then fill in the blank…. *answer – I have to forgive others. Oh, ouch. Even when it doesn’t feel good. Even when they have egregiously hurt me. Even when, I doesn’t feel like I should forgive them. I have to get past myself and forgive.

Our Savior’s final act – “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

This goes hand in hand with the calling, we as Christians, are supposed to be doing. Love one another. That means loving beyond the hurts and offenses. How are we supposed to continue to love, as the Father loves, when we’re harboring resentment and anger? We can’t. First, we have to forgive.

Follow-up, I will note that the family member called me the following day, to apologize. They didn’t make excuses, they didn’t try to push the blame off. They just apologized. Which helped the healing process, of course, and was a great step. But, I didn’t need them to apologize because I had already forgiven them in my heart. I knew that I needed to get past myself, and acknowledge the fact that they could decide to never apologize, and forgive them anyway. I think it was one of the best things I’ve experienced as a Christian, is learning how to do that. Now, again, I’m only human, and it’s not like I’m just going to instantly know how to do this every time, or that I’m going to get past it so quickly in the future – but it was a great step in my walk in faith. It was a great lesson God walked me through. And, I am very grateful for it. Because I also know when it was happening – that I couldn’t see how we were going to get past this, but God saw it – and he was like, “Don’t worry, I got you.”

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you!! Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you, for drawing me nearer to you, that I may learn to be more like you every day. Thank you for helping me through life’s trials and tribulations, that I may practice your ways and be the light to those around me. Thank you Father that you are bigger than my problems. That you have faced all my problems before me, and that you are on the other side, and in them, and in me. Thank You Father God for your Word. That is strengthens me and sustains me. That it nourishes me and gives me hope. That You Father God, are making me a new creation, that you are helping me get past myself to be more like you. Thank you for always being there, and helping me every step of the way. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!