Forgiveness

 

Last night, a hullabaloo broke out in the sunroom.  And this little guy ran crying to his room. 

My husband beat me to the scene of the crime, where my oldest son still fumed and spouted. 

I breathed a prayer for wisdom when I saw what was causing the ruckus.

A Lego vehicle requiring three books of instructions to complete, had rolled off a table and lay jumbled on the floor.

The little guy said it was an accident.  My oldest said he did it on purpose.  Either way, what was done was done.

Who do we console first??

I felt sympathy for my oldest, who had spent hours on the vehicle.   However, I felt compassion for my puffy-eyed little guy, who’s sensitive heart had just withered at the angry words of his brother. 

The hour that followed held several heart-to-heart conversations. 

Although we were sympathetic, my oldest needed to be held accountable for the crushing things he had said in anger. 

My little guy needed assurance that his big brother wouldn’t stay “mad” forever.  And that he wasn’t the terrible-no-good-rotten-little-brother he felt like he was.

Forgiveness can be a tough thing.  Because, whether you are forgiving your little brother, or forgiving yourself, you have to do it all the way to reap the benefit. 

Holding on to even a fringe of bitterness or guilt can derail the healing process. 

When God forgives us, it is completely, and forever.  And His love never wavers.

You are a forgiving God, Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

Nehemiah 9:17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:12

Amen??

I talked with my little guy about making things right with his brother, and with God if he needed to.    

Then, in response to my little guy’s wish to feel assured of God’s forgiveness, I offered to lead him in prayer.  My middle son, who had joined us, asked to say it too.  Each one, in turn, asked Jesus to come into his heart, forgive him completely, and be his Lord and Savior.

Although both said similar prayers before, they each seemed unsure about what they had done. 

As all three of us said, “Amen,”  their smiles left little doubt that this time, they understood completely. 

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.