Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against
anyone. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your failures.
Mark 11:25
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Genuine love is an exercise in forgiveness. If we wish to build
lasting friendships, we must learn how to forgive. Why? Because
our loved ones are imperfect (as we are). How often must we
forgive our friends and families? More times than we can count.
Why? Because that’s what God wants us to do.
Perhaps granting forgiveness is hard for you. If so, you are not
alone. Genuine, lasting forgiveness is often difficult to
achieve – difficult but not impossible. Thankfully, with God’s
help, all things are possible, and that includes forgiveness.
But, even though God is willing to help, he expects us to do
some of the work. And make no mistake: forgiveness is work,
which is okay with God. He knows that the payoffs are worth the
effort.
(Henri Nouwen) The platform where the father embraces his
kneeling son is the place of light, the place of truth, the
place of love. It is the place that confronts me with the fact
that truly accepting love, forgiveness, and healing is often
much harder than giving it. It is the place beyond earning
deserving, and rewarding. It is the place of surrender and
complete trust.
(Mrs. Balfour) The best thing to give to your enemy is
forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart;
to a child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your
mother, conduct that will make her pleased with you; to
yourself, respect; to all people, charity.
PRAYER: Gracious Father, there are those times I falter in my
faith and have difficulty trusting in you. It’s not that I mean
to – there are just those times when it’s hard to see you in the
midst of a world so out of control. I pray that on this day you
help me look past the negatives to see the possibilities. Help
me to understand your will for my life on this day. Bring to me
opportunities to serve you by serving those who need to hear a
word of encouragement or a helping hand. I pray this in the name
of Jesus, amen.
Have a blessed day!
