Raising four kids over my many ‘mom’ years has taught me some interesting and valuable lessons about forgiveness. I’m still learning lots on the subject, but I’ve realized it isn’t about the other person or the offender at all. No ~ As selfish as it sounds, It’s about the “me, myself and I”, before the Lord, in the situation, and His power and His strength in us, giving us the ability, to accept the loss or the hurt, regardless of how deep it may go! You see, beautiful one, We have to get closer to God in order to forgive and accept any loss graciously. Simple ‘acceptance’ releases the chained weight of bitterness that binds and tugs around the ankle! Simple acceptance of whatever it is that’s gone down, is like a key clicked in the lock that sets us free of the offense! Yeah, simple, straight forward acceptance! It’s the only way! Only in acceptance of the loss, can I ever ‘begin’ to heal in the whole healing process. Let me tell you ~ It won’t be instant, it never is, but just as time heals a surgery, a wound, or a broken bone; the broken heart, the pain of offense and the hurt of loss also heals with time, if we’ve accepted the loss before our Lord who lost His life at the hands of the angry mob. What did He do? He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” They weren’t asking but He accepted His brutal treatment and ultimate loss of life on the cross and all for us, who are so undeserving! So must we ask God to forgive them and “accept” our lot and our loss. You see, when we accept the loss, it can’t get any worse so, what does it matter? It’s done! it’s over! It’s happened and we can’t change it! So we accept it and we learn from it! We forgive and we are forgiven over and over and over again in this life and each time we must move on, hopefully a little smarter and a little wiser in our journey!
Think of it this way! Have you ever forgiven your kids, even when they haven’t asked? When they’re young, we do don’t we? And in their child-like simplicity they forgive us when we fail them in their little worlds, so big to their concerns. It’s all in a days work and just a valuable part of training in kids-world and parenting. However, as they get older with their own minds and rebellious behaviors, it becomes a little more “adult like” difficult and chances are they’re not asking because they don’t care. So, rather than harbor it, holding it against them for the rest of their life, ~ we have to accept what they’ve done, forgive and let it go, or we’ll be the losers really. Yeah, sadly maybe ten times a day or more and always with the knowledge of another day tomorrow with most likely more of the same scenario. Remember the offender seldom asks nor do they have the ability nor power to heal and if we depend on the offender for our healing we may take the bitterness to our grave.
~k
Matthew 18: 21, 22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
So there’s most likely a whole bunch of us tired tonight. Victims of stuff that happens in daily routine. Sometimes don’t we even wonder why, as it seems that nothing out of the ordinary has happened, it’s just everything all coming together into one big conundrum without any reprieve. Oh, aren’t we needing quiet rest for the weariness of our beings and for the healing of our souls? Yeah, the body is willing but the mind is weak, and sometimes we just can’t shut it down or shut it off and find sweet peace in there somewhere ~ anywhere. We’ve done dinner, and dishes and kids and laundry, yes, even on Sunday, and we’ve done more dinner and dishes and kids and laundry, yes, even on Sunday. We’ve dealt with issues, hurts, bandaids, snacks and pets, and ministries and services, people and did I say kids? Yeah, big ones, little ones, newborns, fighting kids and obnoxious kids and selfish kids and more kids and does it ever stop long enough to catch your breath? No, not likely ~ not until you’ve totally flopped back on that bed, eyes closed, breathing a quick sigh of relief five minutes before a whailing cry pierces the dark! Maybe teeth, maybe tummy, maybe sniffles, maybe nightmares, but you mom, are up to deal with it. And you were so tired too. It doesn’t seem fair, and this motherhood thing, this sweet pic of motherhood, seems way bigger and longer lasting than the books ever painted it!
Hope and Healing In Hard Places 