Lips Of Forgiveness!
"Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they do."
Luke 23:34
Three-year-old Holland was arguing with her mom at bedtime.
Finally, her mom, Mary Katherine Backstrom, tucked the girl in,
saying this, “I love you, Holland, but not
another word tonight.
You're going to sleep now. I’m done fussing over your stuffed
animals.” But Holland had one more
thing to say: “Mommy, I
forgive you.” Mary Katherine didn’t
know Holland even knew
the word forgive, so she asked what she
meant. The girl said,
“It means
you're wrong, and I’m tired of being mad, and now
I’m going to sleep and my heart
won’t have a tummy ache.”
That’s just about it, isn’t it?
When we forgive someone, we aren’t condoning the actions.
We’re saying we’re tired of being mad, and we’re ready to let
go of the fury so our heart won’t ache. That’s only
possible
through the work of Christ on the cross. When Jesus called
out asking forgiveness for those who nailed Him to the cross,
He showed us compassion and forgiveness.
Take His example to those around you. Be Christlike in
your interactions with others today—show His heart of
compassion by forgiving those who may have wronged
you.
"I was reminded by my toddler
never to go to bed in anger."
Mary Katherine Backstrom
