Shine Bright

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  Matthew 18:21-22

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free 

to discover that the prisoner was you."  

Lewis B. Smedes 

Our preacher gave us a really good sermon on "forgiveness" yesterday. :)  It reminded me that sometimes forgiveness can be hard work, but is so needed for our own peace of mind and the health of our heart. 

I know that our kids have had to do a little work in the area of forgiveness here and there, but I'm pretty sure that there will be harder opportunities to practice in the future as they become adults.  They'll face conflicts with friends, teachers will rub them the wrong way, and maybe their parents will fail in one way or another, each time making them face this need to forgive.

I loved a statement Ken made in his sermon:

"Every opportunity for conflict or hurt, is an opportunity to glorify God."

Forgiveness is the best thing for us, but is also a delight to the Lord!  We shine Him every time we cease to hold resentment against someone who has hurt us.

Let's shine bright!

Lord, help our children to be good forgivers to those who hurt them or do wrong to them.  I pray that forgiveness especially marks their relationships closest to them.  When their hurt is deep, I pray for your healing help, but also your encouragement to find wisdom, guidance, and a helping hand from others in their lives.  Protect them, Father, from deep hurts that could grow into a bitterness that keep them from living in sweet communion with you.  You promise that when Alyssa and Kyle forgive those who sin against them, you will also forgive them.  Their willingness to forgive will bring them a freedom from anger, hurt, and bitterness, and also glorify you to the world around them.  Lord, may Alyssa and Kyle shine bright for you!