When You Need to Forgive
When You Need to Forgive
by Linda Neukrug
by Linda Neukrug
READ:
"For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." -Jeremiah 31:34
REFLECT:
Cindy and I were strolling in the botanical gardens with her small daughter. "Mommy, look! There’s Marie!" her daughter said, running ahead to meet another friend of ours who happened to be in the gardens, too.
I knew Marie had said some hurtful things about Cindy in the past. But as the two of them exchanged hellos, there seemed to be no animosity. Later I remarked to Cindy, "You were so pleasant. I was surprised."
Cindy said, "Long ago I realized that I had two choices when someone says something that hurts me." She stooped down and picked up a rock from the garden. "I can pick up a rock and carry it with me for the rest of my days—but I’ve discovered it will get heavier and heavier as time goes on. Or," she said, picking up a pebble from the gravel path, "I can do this." And she tossed it back onto the path.
PRAY:
Father, I have more than one rock that's become heavier and heavier through the years. I'll just get rid of all of them right now. Here, Lord, would You take them, please?
DO:
Go outside and pick up a couple good-sized rocks, focus on you what you wish to forgive as you feel their weight. Now put the rocks down.
The above article is excerpted from Time Out for the Spirit: Two-Minute Quiet Times for Times That Aren't Quiet.
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