Monocular Vision

I was born 7 weeks premature and my left eye was swollen shut.  In today's terminology it would have been classified as a birth defect.  The result was (and is) that my eyes do not work like most everyone else.  I didn't know this for many years.  It only started becoming apparent when I started driving.  I scared those riding with me because I tended to drive really close to the right side marker.  3D movies make no sense to me.  All I see is the fuzzy red and blue outlines.  Even the newer types of 3D imagery hold no fascination for me.  Why?  Only one eye focuses on the object.  My brain sees the two images but the one presented by my right eye is the dominate image.  The left image is background, fuzzy, almost non-essential.  Normal eyes see a blended version of the two images presented to the brain.  That is why 3D is exciting for most.

My physical vision causes me to think about my spiritual vision?  Do I have a blended worldview?  Is my vision a blend of worldly and Godly view so that neither is dominate?  Can I see each distinctly different as they truly are?  I'm thankful for this physical reminder to keep things in God's perspective.

(Father God, thank you for my abnormal eyes.  Thank you for using them to show me and remind me to look through Yours.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Considering Ways (7/22/09)

Haggai1:1-2:23

Consider your ways. Again, consider your ways. The Lord God is with you. Be strong the Lord of Hosts is with you. Consider from today and onward. Again, consider from today and onward.

In two short pages, God asks us to consider four times. Twice He tells us what to consider and twice He tells us when to consider. I teach 3rd-6th graders each week. Our public schools have fallen down on the job of teaching vocabulary and I love words. Words are my love language. So, I've come to the realization that many people don't understand what God is trying to say to us through His love letter, the Bible.

What does "consider" mean? What did it mean when the Bible was translated from Hebrew and Greek? Does it mean the same thing now that it meant then? A little research will show you that the word hasn't really changed in meaning over the years. Some words do but this one hasn't. When we consider something we look at it closely and think carefully about it.

So, God asks us to look closely at and think carefully about our ways. What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What is the desired outcome of what we do? This includes everything we do. Our ways are our day to day activities, our habits, our speech, our interactions, our money, our food, our clothing, our movies, our books, our friends, and so on. We are to look closely at and think carefully about each.

Remember that the Lord God of Hosts is right there with you. He sees your activities, habits, speech, interactions, money, food, clothing, movies, books, friends, and so on. As we consider our ways, do they please Him? Do they honor Him? Do they bring glory to His Name? Or, do we shame the fearful Name of God? Do we embarrass Him? Do we cause Him to turn away in disgust? He's right there with us. Consider it.

When are you to start considering your ways? Now. Then, continue on tomorrow and the next day and the next. That's pretty clear. Don't wait.

God repeated Himself. He said each thing twice. That's like saying, "HEY! PAY ATTENTION TO THIS! IT'S IMPORTANT!!"

(Father God, help me to consider my ways beginning now. Thank you for being there with me. Forgive me for the shame and disgrace that I've caused. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Life Writing: Getting Started and Squirrels

Welcome to the first installment of Life Writing.  I'm looking forward to sharing this endeavor with you.  Life Writing is writing about one's life.  It may be your own life in memoir or autobiographical style or it may be the life of someone else in memoir or biographical style.  For me, life writing is about capturing memories.  There is a distinct blur between fiction and non-fiction.  It's writing what you remember.  I started writing my life story several years ago.  I'm writing it scrapbook style and I'm on Volume IV.  I'll be posting specific excerpts here.  So...

Squirrel!

One winter Dad came home with a bunch of baby squirrels in his pocket, seven to be exact.   Mom raised five of those squirrels through the spring, feeding them from an eye dropper until they were big enough to drink out of a bowl.  One chilly evening, there was an escape.  We thought the poor squirrel escapee wouldn’t make it through the night.  Mom went to the store the next morning and when she got back, it was hanging on the screen door wanting inside.  They stayed inside in a makeshift cage until early spring when they moved to a large backyard cage my dad built just for them.

My brothers thought it would be hilarious to put the dog in the cage one day.  I calmly went and asked Mom if that would be okay.  She went straightway to discuss the situation with them.  I smiled a satisfied little sister smile until Mom chewed me out for tattling.  By the time those squirrels were old enough to fend for themselves, there were only three left.  On the day of their release back to the wild, two of them promptly ran across the road and up the transformer pole to the transformer.  The other lived to a fine old squirrel age next to the creek behind the trailer.

Tornadoes and Storms

Several days ago when doing the entry on Surround Sound, I came to the realization that storms are not a part of God's original creation.  Storms, specifically tornadoes, are destructive.  God creates.  And, what He creates is good - until we mess it up.  In the beginning God created and it was good.  (Genesis 1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25)  By the time He was finished, it was very good.  (Genesis 1: 31)

So, initially creation was perfect.  I don't know that I can even imagine what that perfection was like.  The way I see things now is so marred by the negatives that I just can't imagine it.  The plants grew and produced perfectly.  In my mind, that means that every blossom produced a fruit.  Every leaf was perfectly shaped and there were no bug eaten holes in them - unlike the tomatoes and peppers on my back porch.

God had a perfect sprinkler misting system in this perfect creation.  There was no rain.  There was a mist that rose from the ground and watered the whole face of the ground.  (Genesis 2:6)  I imagine that to be similar to the way dew waters the ground.  Then, God created humanity.  He formed man out of the dust and breathed life into him.  (Exciting!)

Man promptly broke the one rule given to him.  And because of this sin, we no longer have perfect creation.  As time has passed, the decay brought by sin has resulted in several changes to the sprinkler system.  It took many hundreds of years and the sin of man was so offensive that God caused it to rain resulting in a world wide flood. Prior to that time, rain did not exist and the misting system was still working.

Just this week, deadly tornadoes have been spawned across Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri.  Earlier this year, deadly tornadoes rumbled across Georgia and Alabama.  While these storms can display the awesome power of God, they aren't what He originally had in mind for us.  The devastation of a tornado can remind us of God's justice to come.  It will come, it will come swiftly and it will leave nothing in its path.   (Proverbs 1:27)

God's voice does come out of the whirlwind.  It is strong and mighty.  It is a reminder.  "As the whirlwind passes, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation." (Proverbs 10:25)  "Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked."  (Jeremiah 23:19)

In Nahum, the prophet tells us,  "God is jealous, and the LORD revenges; the LORD revenges, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath for his enemies.  The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." ... Yet, "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he KNOWS them that trust in him."  (Nahum 1:2-3, 7)

Tornadoes and storms won't go away until perfection is returned to this earth.  In the mean time, I will seek to honor God with my whole heart.  I'll be standing in awe of the power He mercifully withholds from judging me.  I will stand sheltered in His strong hold because I believe Him.

(Father God, you alone have the power to calm the storm.  I pray that you will sustain those that have lost much in this tornado.  I pray that you will use this to draw all men near to you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Bible Translations

There are a multitude of Bible translations out there.  I've heard that the only "right" one is the King James Version.  I've heard that the King James is so full of errors that it should never be consulted.  I've heard that the NIV is full of errors and contradictions.  I've heard that some translations are just a mockery of the original Hebrew and Greek.

Have you ever noticed that every person describes an event differently?  Even if every person sees the event at the same time, each of them have a different view of the event.  Certain facts can be determined from eyewitness accounts but each account has differences.  Have you also noticed that every person describes a photograph differently?

Every person brings a unique and individual perspective to life.  My experiences and life are different from yours.  I know that.  You know that.  It's an awesome thing.  How I translate or communicate my experience to you may not be the same as how you receive it.  If I use the word "peace" to describe the absence of conflict but you use the word to describe my conforming to your thinking, we are NOT communicating.  The only way we can communicate is if we have a standard by which to judge.  We have to both agree to use the same definition of a word before communication is a success.

Which leads me back to Bible translations.  There is a truth by which all translations are judged, God Himself.    I enjoy using the King James Version because it has high expectations.  Yes, you must understand formal English if you use the King James.  It has the attitude of grandeur, of aristocracy, of formalness.  But, I often compare translations.  The Common English Version is an informal version.  It is like meeting God at the kitchen table instead of the banquet hall.

All modern English translations rely on translations of translations and copies.  The meanings of our words have changed.  Some words have been lost and are no longer used.  Others have been added to describe changes in society, science, and technology. Can you image using LOL in a Bible translation?  Would the Apostle Paul use technology terms instead of athletic terms in his letter to the Romans?

We did not live at the time the Bible was written.  Phrases and terms had meaning at the time that we don't use or see now.  And, the next translator thinks his version is better than any previous version.  It is up to us to choose a version and use it.  Key- USE IT.  God's word is alive.  It has the ability to meet the needs of people today even though it was written long ago.  God satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.  He saves souls out of trouble and distress.  He brings them out of darkness.  So, I give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures for ever.  His love never fails. (Psalm 107)

(Father God, I praise your name that your word does not return void.  Every translation has some human error in it.  Yet, you make yourself know through it.  Thank you.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.)

Direction

So, I've been reminded that this blog is not really about me.  It is about God in my life.  Therefore, I will continue to blog with perhaps a bit more direction.  Each Monday will be a "Bumpy Monday".  These will be previous posts.  Tuesday through Thursday will be new entries.  Friday will be new entries with one of the following topics:  Penguins, Memoirs, or God Moments.  Saturday or Sunday posts will be rare and by the leading of the Spirit only.

Next, I've got to publicize the blog a bit more.  Please refer my blog to your friends.  Tell me about your blog.  I'll read and comment.

(Father God, thank you for being a part of my life.  I praise your name because you are.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Pack Rat Traits (3/9/08)

On occasion, I loose sight of the penguin traits that I'd like to emulate and take on the incredible traits of a pack rat. Okay, often I do. I have many many boxes of children's school papers that I have kept. And, I've been culling the ones that have come home since 6th grade. So, I have all these boxes of papers in the attic that I should go through.

I also have just about every scrap paper on which I've written a reference to a verse. Now, some of them have other statements besides the verse address. But, many do not. Some of them are references from a sermon or lesson. I have no idea what that verse meant to me at the time I wrote it down. AUGH! It was a shiny button or trinket that caught my eye at the time. I carried it off to my nest and put it with the rest of the glittering objects.

I don't know if pack rats go back through their treasure but God calls me to do such a thing. He repeatedly tells me to remember His mighty works, to remember who He is, to remember what He has done for me. Today, I remember that He wrote my name in the book of life. He has removed my sin and remembers it no more. He has transformed my deceitful heart and given me a heart of life. God is awesome.

(Lord, thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for remembering my sin no more. Thank you for the only way to know you. Thank you for the wonderful treasure You give me through Your word. Thank you for the grace and mercy that You personally extended to me. Thank you also for the judgement. Thank you for the rules that keep me safe. Forgive me when I so bluntly ignore them. Help me to accept the necessary chastisement. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)

Encouragement - Where does it come from?

Encouragement.  Where does it come from for you?  Where do you get that extra charge to keep going?  In what form does it present itself?  Do you need verbal encouragement or will a simple smile keep you going?  Does it matter if it's someone close to you or a complete stranger that shares it?  When do you need it the most? Do you happen to fail to notice it if it is given during good times?

I started writing this blog four years ago. (http://dailyswim.blogspot.com/2007/08/welcome-to-daily-swim.html) Sometimes it was easy to write on a regular basis.  Sometimes living life distracted me away.  I have no idea how many people read it or if anyone gets anything out of it.  I've prayed that someone would get a blessing from reading it and that it would honor God for His purpose.

Is it time to stop?  Or, is it time to be more vocal about it's existence?  I need some encouragement here.

(Father God, I leave this blog in your hands.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Surround Sound

This morning I started the day by lying in bed listening to the thunder roll.  How beautiful the sound that starts way in the distance, rolls right over your head and across the horizon.  Now I sit here listening to the raindrops hit the roof and splash to the ground.  I am truly surrounded by this phenomenon known as a storm.  Have you ever considered just how amazing storms are?  How incredibly powerful lightening is?  How intense thunder happens to be?  How magnificent water is?  And, just how impressive the whole cycle is?

I am  humbled by the power of a lightening strike.  Last year I heard a woman speak who survived but lost her family to a lightening strike.  (You can check out her story at http://www.anitakscott.com.)  It's amazing.

I am so in awe of thunder.  It's the sound of the lightening.  It rumbles across the sky for miles.  I can't even see a mile in the distance.  I can barely see my computer screen sometimes.   (I guess I better go find my glasses.  After all, they do help. Ahh, that's better.)   I don't believe my kids can hear me yelling a mile away.  Mostly they aren't able to hear from the other room.  Hmm.

The rain can be gentle or pelting.  It can come down all at once and result in a flood strong enough to move a house.  It can fall over a long period of time and result in the grass growing right before your eyes.   Generally, though, it seems to fall somewhere in the middle.  It might be cold.  It might be warm.

Now, let's consider the wind.  Do you see where it comes from?  Do you see where it starts?  Do you know where it ends?  Do you know how far it has traveled?  How did it gain its strength?  It too may be soft and gentle or pelting and strong.  It is remarkable.

Today I am absorbed by the storm.  It's more than just surround sound, it's surround sight, surround feel, surround smell and surround sound all rolled up into an experience. If I weren't such a chump, I'd be out tasting the storm also.

(Father God, thank you for storms.  Thank you for the reminder of just how incredible you are.  Thank you that you hold the storms under your feet.  You are above and beyond everything the storm is.  I pray that I can be surrounded by your sound, sight, feel, taste, and smell.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Genealogy

I've been tramping through piles of left behind papers.  I can't find all the information that I want to find.  Ugh, it's so frustrating.

There are some wonderful nuggets of information in these papers like great-grandma's marriage certificate.  Yet, there is nothing about Jephtha's personality.  How do I write about a young man that lived only 25 years?  How can I describe to you a young man that died when my mother was only a year old?  My grandmother, Jephtha's sister, has been gone for more than four years now.  Why didn't I pay more attention when she talked about her brother?  Why didn't I ask for more information while she was still here to provide it?

So, what should I do?  Should I continue this search on Jephtha's history or should I spend my time talking with the living to get their memories?  There is so much that I've lost because I was too busy with myself.  So what if the stories I hear are not specifically about Jephtha?  If I spend a few days with a World War II veteran, the stories would still be appropriate, right?

(Father God, direct me.  Place on my heart the direction that you would have for me.  Light my passion for what you have created me.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Facebook Destroys Relationships

Recently our local news did a story on "Facebook Destroys Relationships."  It was all about how spouses were cheating using Facebook.  Every time I heard the promo for the story, I just wanted to scream.  In fact, I did find myself talking to the TV every single time.

Facebook doesn't destroy relationships.  People do.  People wound, maim, attack, pursue, frustrate, and kill relationships.  It's the people involved in the relationship that destroy it.  We were doing it without Facebook for many years.  I'm pretty sure we will keep on doing it even if Facebook goes away.

Proverbs 23:7 tell us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, he says to you; but his heart is not with you."  Relationships are destroyed by a heart that thinks it can find something better somewhere else.  Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are unwilling to forgive.  Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are bitter and critical.  Relationships are destroyed by hearts that are not with the one they've married.  Relationships are destroyed by a heart that has placed higher importance on something or someone else.

If there are 95 things that you love about your spouse and 5 things that bug you, you've got a wonderful thing. Don't dwell on those 5 things, think on those things that are lovely, pure, right, just, honest, good.  When your heart and mind are thinking on the good things, the bad things fade into the background where they belong.  That does NOT mean that criminal offenses should be overlooked.  That means it's not important if she leaves the cap off the toothpaste.  It means that it's not important if he leaves his socks in the living room.  Don't quibble over the small stuff.

(Father God, help us to place you first in our lives so that other things may also be placed in the right order.  Thank you for the relationships you give us.  Help us to value and treasure those relationships.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Forgiveness, Part Five

The key to forgiveness is knowing the one, true God and accepting Him as your personal Lord and Saviour.

I know a good person can forgive others.  I know that a person striving for Nirvana can forgive others.  But the complete knowledge of forgiveness can only come through the one that has complete knowledge of forgiveness because He is the author and finisher of it.  Forgiveness, like faith, originates with God.   It also finishes with God.  God completes forgiveness.  I can forgive you.  You can forgive me.  And that exchange of forgiveness is completed because God is in the beginning, middle, and end of it.  The amazing part is that even if you don't believe in God as I do, it doesn't change Him.

I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was a child.  As I grew, I tried Him.  I questioned Him.  I checked out other ideas of god.  I tried it without Him.  I tried ignoring Him.  I tried to fashion Him into something I liked.  Ultimately, I realized He does exist as defined by the Holy Scripture of the Jews and the Christians.  Scripture is His autobiography.  I don't get to take the parts I like and leave the parts I don't.  He is love.  He is just.  He is truth.  He is.

If you don't know Him, it's easy to find Him.  Many teach that you must clean yourself up or do specific things to be accepted of God.  There is nothing you can do to make yourself perfect for God.  You will always fall short.  When you recognize that, salvation is a step away.  When you reach the point that you KNOW you can't do it yourself, call out to Jesus.  One short simple prayer of belief is all it takes.

Father God, I can't do this myself.  You sent Jesus to do what I could not.  Please forgive me for trying to do it myself?  I accept what Jesus has done for me and I turn to you.  I pray this in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Finding salvation is a simple thing.  Living it out is a day by day, moment by moment adventure.  If you've just found Jesus, post a comment to let me know.  (Comments are moderated so others won't see it unless you want them to.)  I want to encourage you and help you in this adventure.

(Father God, Thank you for salvation.  I could post this prayer a million times on this blog and it would not be enough.  I am so amazed by your love for us.  I continue to learn more about you and how deep your care and love is.  Each new thing I learn makes my salvation that much more precious.  Thank you, thank you.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.)

Forgiveness, Part Four

Continuing forgiveness...  I want to live a life of continual forgiveness.  Okay, I couldn't resist the play on words there. After all, we are on part four of this series.

Still, I do desire to honor God by forgiving others.  I don't have any reason to hold a grudge.  I don't have a reason to keep a score card.  I did this for him.  He hasn't returned an equitable favor.  NOPE.  That is not how I want to live.  She did that to me.  She has a lot of making up for it.  NOPE.  That is not how I want to live.

I want each day to be filled with forgiveness.  If someone offends me I want to forgive immediately.  I don't want to have to think about it.  I want it to be so natural and normal.  And, when I offend another, I want to seek forgiveness just as quickly.

I really want to seek quick forgiveness when I've offended my Saviour and God.  I want to be so disgusted by sin that when I do - and I will - I immediately recognize it, turn from it, and ask forgiveness for it.  I've heard that counterfeit experts do not study the fake money, they study the real stuff.  They know the real thing so well that they can immediately spot a fake.  That's how I want to be.  I want to spend my time thinking on things that are right, pure, just, lovely, honest, of good report, friendly, etc.  That way when lies, gossip, and discontent work their way into my thoughts, I can recognize them and remove them.  If I take care of the issue at the root (in my mind), it doesn't show evidence on the tree (in actions and speech).

Yes, continuing forgiveness...

(Father God, I am so grateful for your continuing forgiveness.  Each day I seek to cleanse my feet from the dust of the day and you are faithful to forgive.  Thank you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Forgiveness, Part Three

Continuing on from yesterday's thoughts, I've come to realize that most offenses happen because I'm too wrapped up in myself and my problems.  That does not give me a reason to offend.  It only helps me identify an area that I can improve.  I'm pretty sure that I will continue to do and say things that will be taken as offenses but I refuse to live in bondage to guilt or bitterness.  I do not have the energy or the time to carry around a scorecard of all that someone else has done to me.  I don't want to remember all the cruddy things I've done to others, intentionally or not.

Having said that, I want to make it clear that some things still have consequences.  Most often those consequences follow us for many years or even the rest of our lives.  The choices I made as a young woman in the Navy have changed the rest of my life.  I cannot go back and undo those actions.  This is why I don't understand "forgive and forget".  A victim of sexual abuse may be able to forgive but the chances are that forgetting will be impossible.  A family that lost a son or daughter to a drunk driver may be able to forgive but forgetting is not possible.

When God tells us that He forgives our sin and removes it as far as the east is from the west, He no longer holds us responsible for that sin.  If our sin is such that it resulted in a pregnancy, disease, or possible injury - the consequences of that will be a constant reminder.  It becomes impossible to forget.  The great news is that we aren't in bondage to it any more.  Oh, what joy!  This would also apply to sin committed by another that affects us.  Christ alone is the one that can give us freedom from the slavery of sin - ours and others.

I will forever be affected by the crime that my former spouse committed.  My children will forever be affected by it.  However, we don't have to be controlled by it.  God in his great mercy protected us through multiple years of single parenthood.  God in his excellent mercy provided a new spouse - a love beyond my wildest dreams.  And I hold this new relationship and love in a special place.  I will fight to protect it.  But, that's a story for another day.

(Father God, I am so blessed by the forgiveness that you have.  Thank you for sending your only begotten Son that I might know the depth of that forgiveness.  Thank you for His sacrifice on calvary so that I might know the height of that forgiveness.  Thank you for raising him to life again so that I might know the width of that forgiveness.  Praise your Holy Name for the forgiveness which was, which is, and which is to come.  Hallelujah!  In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.)

Forgiveness, Part Two

PLEASE, FORGIVE ME!?

I am sorry.  I did not intend to hurt or harm you in any way.  I can't excuse what I did.  Please, will you forgive me?

Part two of this series on forgiveness began as I thought about the seventh grade.  My sincere apologies to my former classmates because I'm using your names in this post.  This is the time where I learned just how mean we girls can be.  We are a messed up bunch during the seventh grade.  Our hormones are in super overdrive as we develop into "young ladies".  Those hormones cause our emotions to run amuck.

I like Allison today.  Stacy is not my friend this hour.  Cretia called Allison a dufus and I agreed.  Stacy and I laughed at Sharon's clothes.  Ugh, Corina smells bad today, stay away from her.  Maria has such pretty hair.  Shanna wears the ugliest shoes.  I told Cindy about Leann's secret.  It was funny.  I think Chris likes Allison.  Allison likes Chad.  Chad likes Maria.  Everybody hates Doug and Susan.

In all that year, I don't ever remember thinking about how someone else might be affected by what I said or did.  Unfortunately, I ignored that for many years and ever now and again I find that I haven't considered my actions.  I also never considered what my classmates and friends might be going through at home.

Since the seventh grade, I've gone to college, spent five years in the Navy, worked for a few companies, and attended several different churches.  I made oodles of new friends and offended most of them at some point in some way.  I am trying to learn how to do this right.  Please forgive me?

(Father God, I ask that You forgive me for not treating others as you would.  Continue to teach me.  If there are any specific people that I need to find and seek forgiveness from, please bring them to mind and open a way that we can heal our relationship.  In the name of Jesus I ask, Amen.)

Forgiveness, Part One

I forgive you.

It's a tough way to start a series on forgiveness but I have to start somewhere.  I forgive you for the offense.  I will not take it into account when I think of you.  I don't know what your day was like when the offense occurred therefore I cannot hold it against you in any shape, form, or fashion.  I forgive you.

God has attempted to convict my heart on the topic of forgiveness many times over the years.  He really poked me about it recently.  How can I truly love and have charity for other humans if I don't forgive them?

My attitude needed an adjustment.  Don't they have to ask for the forgiveness before I give it?  Shouldn't they feel shame or sorrow for the hurt and misery they've caused?  Surely they have to know that they have offended me before I can forgive them, right?  Wrong.  God calls me to forgive.  Love doesn't keep score therefore I get the opportunity and blessing of giving forgiveness.

Sure, it's easy to forgive my fellow church member for not saying, "Hi!" on Sunday.  It's easy to forgive the driver that pulled out in front of me.  It's easy to forgive my kids when they skip a chore.  It's easy to forgive my brother when he forgets my birthday.  I can do that.  I have done that.

It begins to get harder to forgive when someone has laughed at my ideas.  It begins to be harder to forgive when someone tosses aside the work and effort that I put into a project. It's very difficult to forgive a friend that has betrayed a trust and gossiped.  But, I can do that.  I have done that.

Finally, reality begins to test my ability to forgive.  I know it is painful and taxing to forgive the spouse that molested a child's friend, left that child emotionally scarred, left my children fatherless, and destroyed my marriage.  That offense hurt.  It wounded deeply.  It hurt for a long time.  But, by the grace of God, forgiveness has come.  There is still grief over the losses but forgiveness has come.

You see, when I forgive you - truly forgive you - no matter the offense, it honors God.  That is my desire - to honor God.

(Father God, I cannot keep the forgiveness that you so freely shared with me from others.  I want to honor you in all that I do.  By the power of Christ, I will seek to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others just as you have forgiven me.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  Amen.)