Forgive me?

03.01.21—Pardon and Peace!--Romans 12:19-21

My friend, may I ask you a question? But, what about our ability to forgive; is cutting it close, enough? Or, should we always be keeping a healthy reserve?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

Are you the kind of person that goes the needed distance and then, just to be sure, adds some at the end just to be safe? You know, when one turkey is needed to celebrate a holiday with family and friends, you make sure that there is another, cooked and ready, in reserve? I’m more of a “let’s see if we can eke by-type guy, however. If I can cut it close without a reserve and make it, that’s a victory. To my wife, however, cutting it close isn’t an option. She likes backup and wants to be sure that there is always something left over in reserve when the primary is spent.

But, what about our ability to forgive; is cutting it close enough? Or, should we always be keeping a healthy reserve?

Here’s a story: There once was a young man who got tired of home; so he went to the city. He ran wild and led a life of sin. His parents and never heard from him. After a while a life of sin began to get old, and he wondered if his parents would welcome him back. So he went to work, and obtained enough money to take him back home. When he got to the old home station, he was so ashamed of his rags that he boarded the train again and went on a few stations farther. Then he sat down and wrote a letter home. He confessed how sinful he had been, and asked his parents’ forgiveness. He told them he would be coming by the next day, and if they would forgive him again, they should hang a towel on the clothesline as a token. What did that mother do? She got all the towels in the house and hung them on the line. (Moody Monthly)

The young man’s pardon was more than a pardon. It was a pardon with room to spare. And that is just how God does things--on a large scale. In this day of numerous lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, it’s a bit hard to under- stand forgiveness in the fullest. Grudgingly forgiving is one thing, but forgiving over and above the “call of duty” is rare. The Bible tells us, however, to “feed our hungry enemies and give them drink.” When it comes to forgiveness, God calls each of us to not just hang out one towel but to fill the clothesline with the bounty of our forgiveness. Then our enemies will know the goodness and mercy of the God that we serve.

We pray. Heavenly Father. A pardon with room to spare. That is just how God does things--on a large scale every day. In this day Lord, it’s a bit hard to understand forgiveness in the fullest. Grudgingly forgiving is one thing, but forgiving over and above the “call of duty” is rare. Forgive us Father when we fail to opt on the side of complete and total forgiveness for those who hurt us. We know Your Word tells us to “feed our hungry enemies and give them drink.” When it comes to forgiveness, You call each of us to not just hang out one towel but to fill the clothesline with the bounty of our forgiveness. Then our enemies will know Your goodness and mercy and why we serve You. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"

Forgive me?

03.01.21—Pardon and Peace!--Romans 12:19-21

My friend, may I ask you a question? But, what about our ability to forgive; is cutting it close, enough? Or, should we always be keeping a healthy reserve?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

Are you the kind of person that goes the needed distance and then, just to be sure, adds some at the end just to be safe? You know, when one turkey is needed to celebrate a holiday with family and friends, you make sure that there is another, cooked and ready, in reserve? I’m more of a “let’s see if we can eke by-type guy, however. If I can cut it close without a reserve and make it, that’s a victory. To my wife, however, cutting it close isn’t an option. She likes backup and wants to be sure that there is always something left over in reserve when the primary is spent.

But, what about our ability to forgive; is cutting it close enough? Or, should we always be keeping a healthy reserve?

Here’s a story: There once was a young man who got tired of home; so he went to the city. He ran wild and led a life of sin. His parents and never heard from him. After a while a life of sin began to get old, and he wondered if his parents would welcome him back. So he went to work, and obtained enough money to take him back home. When he got to the old home station, he was so ashamed of his rags that he boarded the train again and went on a few stations farther. Then he sat down and wrote a letter home. He confessed how sinful he had been, and asked his parents’ forgiveness. He told them he would be coming by the next day, and if they would forgive him again, they should hang a towel on the clothesline as a token. What did that mother do? She got all the towels in the house and hung them on the line. (Moody Monthly)

The young man’s pardon was more than a pardon. It was a pardon with room to spare. And that is just how God does things--on a large scale. In this day of numerous lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, it’s a bit hard to under- stand forgiveness in the fullest. Grudgingly forgiving is one thing, but forgiving over and above the “call of duty” is rare. The Bible tells us, however, to “feed our hungry enemies and give them drink.” When it comes to forgiveness, God calls each of us to not just hang out one towel but to fill the clothesline with the bounty of our forgiveness. Then our enemies will know the goodness and mercy of the God that we serve.

We pray. Heavenly Father. A pardon with room to spare. That is just how God does things--on a large scale every day. In this day Lord, it’s a bit hard to understand forgiveness in the fullest. Grudgingly forgiving is one thing, but forgiving over and above the “call of duty” is rare. Forgive us Father when we fail to opt on the side of complete and total forgiveness for those who hurt us. We know Your Word tells us to “feed our hungry enemies and give them drink.” When it comes to forgiveness, You call each of us to not just hang out one towel but to fill the clothesline with the bounty of our forgiveness. Then our enemies will know Your goodness and mercy and why we serve You. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"