“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Happy Thursday! I’m so glad we made it through Wednesday. We all have challenging days from time-to-time, and yesterday qualified for me. Today is a new day and it feels great to start over.
Has anyone ever crossed the lines in a situation that involved your children? It doesn’t have to be anything major. I heard someone in authority once say “you can say anything you want about me, but leave my family alone”. It’s true. As a mother and grandmother, I am particularly sensitive to words and actions involving my children and grandchildren. You don’t play with a bear cub, because you know the mother bear will be somewhere close ready to take care of you. The same holds true of most mothers.
This morning I recall a particularly painful situation involving my daughter where I held a grudge. I have crossed paths with the woman over time, but I have managed to avoid her. Today, I found myself face-to-face with the lady. I know God was with me, because I handled the situation like a professional. I was kind, caring and helpful. After she left I reflected at how she is also a child of God, now suffering due to the Hurricane. How could I not forgive her, when God forgives me?
So today, join me in placing forgiveness at the top of your priorities. God bless you.
Have you ever felt beaten down, when you were doing what you thought a Christian should do? I think it is the work of Satan. Although it is hard to think of at the time, I tell myself “I must be doing something right!”
that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”. Trust me when I tell you that you will be surprised how well this will work for you.
if what you are hearing is in line with God’s word. It’s really that simple.
Are you having trouble forgiving someone? Do you find yourself facing the same old aggravating stuff with that person all the times? Have you thought to yourself, how many times do I have to put up with this mess? When Peter asked Jesus how many times, I feel pretty certain he wasn’t expected to be told 490 times. It makes me chuckle to think of this conversation taking place, because I know I’d being saying “What?”. Yet, how many 
times has God forgiven us? For me it has been more than 490 times. In fact, it’s been more that 4,900,000 times. It’s so nice to be loved and forgiven. It is important to treat others well, even when there is something that really aggravates you. It is equally important to forgive yourself.
Instead of being jealous, try something new. Focus on helping others, especially the ones who draw out the little green monster. I think you will find that when your focus changes, so will your attitude.
