I have so many ideas on what to write about this morning, however this word keeps coming to mind… forgiveness. Forgiveness is to grant pardon for or remission, to cease to feel resentment against another. When I think about forgiveness I think about the words “I am sorry.” Growing up I was not the first to forgive and I was not the first to ask for forgiveness. Until recently I do not think I understood the power that is in those three words, I AM SORRY. Those three words require me to RECOGNIZE, ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, BE SINCERE, and MAKE REPARATION. I believe to have a fully sincere apology, I have to first recognize what behavior I did that offended the other than I have to accept responsibility for my actions that caused the offense. Thirdly, I am sincere with remorse for my behavior in asking for forgiveness. It cannot be fake or half-hearted, it has to come from the heart, with true sincerity. Lastly, I must make reparation for my behavior. In making reparation I do something to give back, something as simple as praying for that person or performing some sort of action.
I think that forgiveness has been on my heart, because I have asked for forgiveness from 2 important people in my life this past week. The first example was with a good friend of mine. I had promised to not do something and I went against my word and created a challenging situation. I did not keep my word and I hurt myself and the other person. The second example this past week was with my boyfriend. In the past week I have been emotionally upset and at odds which I took out on him. It was neither right nor fair. In both instances I had to recognize that my behavior was wrong and I had to accept responsibility for my actions. Then I had to personally go to both people and say “I AM SORRY _________________, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. In the blank above is where you accept responsibility and insert your sincerity. I did not only say I am sorry for hurting you… I also said I am sorry for not keeping my word and breaking the promise I made to you, please forgive me. I also said I am sorry for being rude, and robbing you of you’re joy, please forgive me. Previously in my life I would let my pride get in the way of asking for forgiveness. When we ask for forgiveness, or make an apology, we;
“shift our focus from ourselves – our own discomfort, our own embarrassment, our own sense of guilt – to the person or people we’ve offended – his hurt, his sense of betrayal. It requires us to act selflessly rather than selfishly.” - Mark Slatin.
Asking for forgiveness is one of the greatest ways to show love and commitment to another person. When asking for forgiveness, it is telling the other person, I was wrong, I am not perfect, and I love you.
When I think of forgiveness I also think of Christ, who forgives us over and over and over. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, we all fall short, but His love for us will never end. It is like the story of the prodigal son. A son squanders all he has and then returns to the father, and asks for forgiveness. In the story God’s patient grace and His willingness to welcome each of us home into His loving and forgiving arms is shown.
I have embraced this concept of asking for forgiveness, and in doing so I have experienced a freedom and peace. Previously I was afraid to say I am sorry because that might make me look weak or worthless, but now I am willing to say, “ I love you, I am sorry, please forgive me.”
In closing I ask you to reflect on the questions below: Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is your pride getting in the way and holding you back? What is more important, your pride or reconciliation?
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” - Daniel 9:9 NIV
“For IF you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Mathew 6:14 NIV
Have a super day!
Rebekah Chavez
e/d Chip Hart
I think that forgiveness has been on my heart, because I have asked for forgiveness from 2 important people in my life this past week. The first example was with a good friend of mine. I had promised to not do something and I went against my word and created a challenging situation. I did not keep my word and I hurt myself and the other person. The second example this past week was with my boyfriend. In the past week I have been emotionally upset and at odds which I took out on him. It was neither right nor fair. In both instances I had to recognize that my behavior was wrong and I had to accept responsibility for my actions. Then I had to personally go to both people and say “I AM SORRY _________________, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. In the blank above is where you accept responsibility and insert your sincerity. I did not only say I am sorry for hurting you… I also said I am sorry for not keeping my word and breaking the promise I made to you, please forgive me. I also said I am sorry for being rude, and robbing you of you’re joy, please forgive me. Previously in my life I would let my pride get in the way of asking for forgiveness. When we ask for forgiveness, or make an apology, we;
“shift our focus from ourselves – our own discomfort, our own embarrassment, our own sense of guilt – to the person or people we’ve offended – his hurt, his sense of betrayal. It requires us to act selflessly rather than selfishly.” - Mark Slatin.
Asking for forgiveness is one of the greatest ways to show love and commitment to another person. When asking for forgiveness, it is telling the other person, I was wrong, I am not perfect, and I love you.
When I think of forgiveness I also think of Christ, who forgives us over and over and over. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, we all fall short, but His love for us will never end. It is like the story of the prodigal son. A son squanders all he has and then returns to the father, and asks for forgiveness. In the story God’s patient grace and His willingness to welcome each of us home into His loving and forgiving arms is shown.
I have embraced this concept of asking for forgiveness, and in doing so I have experienced a freedom and peace. Previously I was afraid to say I am sorry because that might make me look weak or worthless, but now I am willing to say, “ I love you, I am sorry, please forgive me.”
In closing I ask you to reflect on the questions below: Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is your pride getting in the way and holding you back? What is more important, your pride or reconciliation?
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” - Daniel 9:9 NIV
“For IF you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Mathew 6:14 NIV
Have a super day!
Rebekah Chavez
e/d Chip Hart