But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Children are great teachers, especially on the topic of forgiveness. My kids are professionals in that field—I’ve given them plenty of practice!
One evening I knelt beside Stephanie’s bed. She looked at me, her eyes betraying the hurt my impatience had caused before bedtime. “I’m sorry for yelling at you,” I confessed. “I was wrong. Would you please forgive me?”
Without hesitation she threw her arms around my neck, “I love you, Mommy,” she said. “Of course I forgive you.”
Stephanie’s sweet spirit humbled me. I returned the hug. “Thank you, Steph. I love you, too.” As I tucked her in and left the room, I marvelled at her easy, immediate response to my request.
She bore no grudges. She issued no warnings—“You’d better not do it again or else . . .“ She declared no conditions—“I’ll forgive you if you let me stay up another hour.” My daughter simply said, “Of course I forgive you,” and sealed her declaration with a hug.
Stephanie’s gracious spirit reflects our heavenly Father’s loving heart toward us when we confess our sin to Him. Scripture says that when we confess our sin, He’s faithful to forgive us. He doesn’t issue warnings—“I’ll forgive you now, but it’s the last time. Do you understand?” He doesn’t forgive with conditions—“I’ll forgive you if you memorize the book of Genesis.” God forgives because Jesus Christ died for us.
Sometimes we’re called to forgive even if the offender never asks for forgiveness. God’s love living in us makes that possible. Several years ago I met a mother who demonstrated this in an amazing way.
One week after the Colombine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, Diane Lang’s 17-year-old son was shot and killed while walking down his school hallway in a quiet Alberta town. No one would have blamed her for feeling angry toward the 14–year–old boy who pulled the trigger, but Diane chose to forgive.
The entire nation watched her and her husband model God’s unconditional forgiveness. As a result, the Langs have presented the gospel repeatedly in schools across Canada, and their town’s churches recently opened an interdenominational drop-in center for youth.
Diane’s loving, kind response was a miracle of sorts, a miracle of God’s love pouring through a human being incapable of doing such a thing in her own strength. What a fantastic example of God’s forgiveness!
How do we respond when others disappoint or offend us? Do we respond with impatience? A grudge? The silent treatment? Or do we display God’s forgiveness?
Like Diane, we can allow Christlike attitudes to rule our response to offenses. When our children disobey, we can model unconditional forgiveness. If our spouse or coworker or family member hurts us, we can forgive because the Holy Spirit lives within us and enables us to do what is right.
When I’m faced with the need to forgive an offender, I’m reminded that I’m not perfect either (ouch!), and in my lifetime I’ll give others plenty of opportunities to extend forgiveness to me, too.
Inward Glimpse
Heavenly Father, thank You for offering unconditional forgiveness to me. Help me do the same for others. Amen.
How can you show your love in a special way to each member of your family this week? Write out your plan. Record their responses.
Heavenly Father, I pray that Christ may dwell in _____ ’s heart through faith. I pray that he, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep Your love is. May he know this love that surpasses knowledge and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Thank you for loving _____ with a love that knows no limit (Ephesians 3:17-19). When he sins, may he understand that Your forgiveness flows from this boundless love, and may he be quick to forgive others the same way. Amen.
Taken from: 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms. Copyright 2004 by Grace Fox. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by Permission.
