The Gift
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Forgive
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Forgiveness
Forgiveness is hard.
We take hurts to heart.
It is personal.
Sometimes it is about us.
Sometimes it is about someone we love.
How many times have I held onto hurt for the sake of being right?
“He should be the one to apologize.”
How many times have I thought this is the one thing I cannot forgive?
“I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for what she did.”
Maybe we feel justified in being angry and holding on to the bitterness that seeps into our souls.
If we left it up to our own feelings and emotions, many of us might choose not to forgive.
But there was this man…..
A man who chose not to hold onto the hurt.
A man who chose grace instead of bitterness.
A man who was blameless and right, and forgave before an apology came.
“Jesus said, Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
He would have been justified in His anger, but chose gentleness instead.
The same gentleness that He wants us to choose.
“Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13
Even when we feel like it is something we cannot forgive, we are called to show grace.
Over and over again.
“Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18: 21-22
Forgiveness is hard.
But not as hard as the sacrifice that was made for us on the cross.
No matter how many times we have to forgive others, it will never come close to the price that was paid for us on that cross.
How many times has He forgiven us?
Our heavenly Father is full of grace.
“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7
Father God, help us to always forgive each other as you have forgiven us.
Thank You for Your unending grace and love for each of us.
Amen.
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Seventy Times Seven
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Rich in Kindness and Grace
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Offended?
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Forgiving
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Waiting
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Be Patient
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What Are You Waiting For?
“What are you waiting for?”
This is the question asked of a little boy sitting on his bike when Bob, aka Mr. Incredible, pulls into his driveway in the movie, The Incredibles.
“What are you waiting for?”
The little boy’s answer?
“I don’t know….something amazing I guess.”
Maybe you don’t know exactly what you are waiting for either.
It feels like we are always waiting for something.
For the phone to ring.
For the other person to admit they were wrong.
For the apology that might never come.
For the test results.
For our finances to be more secure.
For retirement.
For the RIGHT time.
Maybe at that time, something amazing will happen.
But especially today, amidst the pandemic, waiting feels like a way of life.
Waiting in line at the grocery store.
Waiting for the stimulus check.
Waiting for stores and businesses to reopen.
Waiting to see our loved ones and safely give them a hug.
The wait feels like a heavy weight crushing us.
Finding patience while we wait is as challenging as finding toilet paper and Clorox Wipes today.
But it is not the wait that is important.
It’s how we wait that matters.
God tells us in His word to wait patiently for Him.
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalms 27:14 NLT
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” James 5:7 NLT
We can be patient while we wait, because we trust that something good is coming.
The little boy in the Incredibles didn’t know what he was waiting for, but he was expecting something amazing.
Don’t miss this word.
He was expectant.
As God’s children, we are hope filled and expectant.
We know that something amazing will happen when He returns.
“I wait patiently for the Lord, my soul expectantly waits,
And in His word do I hope.” Psalms 130: 5 AMP
Friends, waiting is hard.
Like you, I long for the day when the wait is over.
But as we wait, be hopeful.
He sees you.
He hears you.
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for my God my Savior, My God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7
Trust that on the other side of the wait is something amazing.
Amen.
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