Posted on 05/23/2021 7:36:19 AM PDT by Mrs. Warrior
The Lord tells us do not let the sun go down with anger neither give place to the devil. Often, as small offenses occur in a family every day, we need to not hold onto bitter thoughts. It is like setting a place for the devil to sit at the table and he has rude table manners! It's like trying to thank the Lord for the blessing of being together and enjoying a meal prepared with love but the door was left open and flies came in with their germs; you wind up distracted and have to swat them meanwhile the meal gets cold.
Forgiveness is putting the hurt away from you and giving it to Jesus; and being restored to the other person. Even though we live in a world of angry people who will not love us as we would want them to we are reminded that true Love covers a multitude of sin. Peter asked how many times should one forgive his brother? I think that he thought he was being generous by suggesting seven times. But, the Lord replied “seventy times seven”. I imagine Peter gulping at Jesus' response. Every time we are hurt getting to forgiveness quickly is so important to the unity and peaceful spirit of holiness and love.
In Ancient or Paleo Hebrew, each letter or character consists of pictograms that have meaning and context to them. The very Name of God is especially related to my topic. The Tetragrammaton, or the four Hebrew letters of the Name “YHVH” depicts a Strong Arm and Hand (Yud), giving Breath or Life, a Man Getting someone's Attention (Hey), Nailed or Firmly Affixed, Able (Vav), Given Freely in Undeserved Favor (Hey). So even the Name of our God is a concise and perfect summary of the Gospel- that God is able to save and willing!
We live in the country where we are surrounded by green forested hills and pleasant grassy valleys with cattle grazing, turkeys and bunnies and deer showing themselves and after a day of family enjoyment and work, we often gather on the back deck. In springtime, the small critters are calling to each other to find the way to meet, In the expanse of our yard, a hazy balmy mist settles as the sun sets and temperatures drop into the cool of the evening and I feel the deep peace touching us. As the sun gives a final brilliant burst of color before going to other parts of the world to start their day. And so we have sought forgiveness for the way we hurt each other. The fireflies come out and when I was a child I used to think they used their light for head lights to see in the dark, then I learned they were looking for love. The grand children laugh and run over the lawn chasing after the luminescent creatures and I think a another day has been lived in a harmonious celebration of life. Soon we will hug each other and wish every one a good night sleep.
I know that the antique beds covered with the softest cotton sheets and coordinating quilts will hold my family snugly and safe. I remind the children to say their evening prayers to let Jesus hold their troubled thoughts for the night, so they can dream of the special times ahead for tomorrow. I tell them it is like being a writer; finishing one chapter with forgiveness you get a fresh page to write on.
As a hazy refreshing morning sun rises I sit at the piano looking out at the fields while the dew sparkles like rainbow crystals and I see the butter flies getting their morning drink. Just as the Lord takes care of the smallest of our critters in faithfulness and full every day grace and provision and I know he will do the same for us a song rises in my heart. I play and spirit of sweet worship of God greets my family; a new day to love, to play and to live in the fullness of the abundant love of God is before.
Just a moment ago as I walked with my husband walked back to our house we found a little bird that apparently flew into a glass door lying stunned. I breathed a prayer of healing over it and told it that it was time to fly away. My husband lowered himself down to the ground, to the same level as the little injured bird, and gently lifted it up on his rough but gentle finger so its wings could get air under them. Shortly, it recovered and as it flew away back to the shelter of it's nest, I thought that is what forgiveness is like and will be a great story to share when the grand children come over later today.
Nice...
I have found this resource immensely, and uniquely helpful:
https://forgivenessministries.org/why-forgiveness-ministries-index
Thanks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.