True forgiveness changes who we are. It makes us more generous. How do you allow yourself to be changed and shaped by it? Can you put aside grudges and judgment, and pray for the needs of those who have hurt you? As we melt into forgiveness, our hardened hearts sing again and cry out with joy.
Jesus tells Peter that we are to forgive not seven times but seventy-seven times. Receiving and giving forgiveness is deep and difficult work. Sometimes it requires us to forgive again and again.
Lately I’ve been spending some time forgiving myself. I’m looking at my life. I sometimes wonder how I did it all. I drove myself pretty hard and likely at the expense of tending to my body and my relationships. Awareness and forgiveness allows me to have a clear vision of what’s important to me. And I can live my life accordingly in the present. I may have to surrender to forgiveness seventy-seven times, but each time I do, I gain a piece of my heart back to love.
God inspires us to be people who bring reconciliation and forgiveness into the world. Through prayer, our hearts and minds are softened with understanding, and grace. We become the change we wish to see.
Lord, shape me by the forgiveness I offer and the forgiveness I receive today.
Smitten With Goodness 