Forgiveness

I recently had a "revelation" regarding my anger and forgiveness. Our minister preached on the Lord's Prayer, particularly the part that says, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." I decided, since my prayers have been few and far between recently, that I needed to at least pray the Lord's Prayer throughout the day - not that it's the only prayer you can offer, but it is a model, given in response to the apostles' asking, "Lord, teach us to pray."

So the very next day was one of the worst in recent memory, even though only petty annoyances were all I had to deal with. I was remembering the lesson, and repeating the prayer throughout the day, when I suddenly thought about the phrase, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." And I thought about how much God has forgiven me, and how much my husband and friends have forgiven me. I realized that the reason I get so annoyed at little things (traffic, long lines, rude people, ignorant people) is because I am not forgiving them, or extending them the same grace that I have been shown. I have been the unmerciful servant in Matthew 19!

If you had asked me, I would have agreed that forgiving others is something Christians are supposed to do. I had just never connected my anger to an unforgiving heart. Forgiving others also gives the forgiver greater control, because forgiveness is a decision, and I can decide to forgive them whether they know they need it or not!

So, to my children and my friends, and to my God, I apologize for taking you and your forgiveness for granted. And to my children, I apologize for not teaching you a better way. I am working on forgiving in all situations, and so far, it has been amazing how much more relaxed I feel.

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32