release

we could all use a little (..a lot) of forgiveness.  to have and to give.

and forgiveness never means that what happened is acceptable, nor does it mean that trust or camaraderie will be restored.  but forgiveness does mean that we've released the right to bitterness - unfulfilled revenge.

and what a hard path that is, to ache restlessly from a deep wound, to burn in anger from an offense, to have plotted a victorious comeback that would inflict twice the damage; and then to make a clear resolution, "i will no longer hold it against you."

surely life is not without tension, conflict, wronging, or being wronged.  these are all things that we can liken to the human walk of Jesus.  and He felt anger too - but He always responded with love, forgiveness, and grace.  He truly is.. unconditional.

it's a chore to take forgiveness and tackle the large traumas of our past, but if only we could start with the smaller battles.  luke 17:1 NASB says, "it is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come."  stumbling blocks never refer to gargantuan boulders; you stumble on cracks in the pavement, misplaced rocks, unseen objects in your path.  similarly, let the forgiveness start with minor discrepancies, slightly noticeable inconsistencies, unintended faults.

because especially then, when the heavy offenses come, the tension won't have to escalate by the resurrection of their small irritable habits.  you know what i mean.. when you're angry with someone, every little thing they do that you once tolerated now makes you want to punch their face.  or perhaps something less violent, but just as impacting.

sometimes we think our love is more valuable than God's.
that is to say, God gives His love so freely and so willingly, without demand, without requirements, so full of pure grace...
but we feel that people need to work their way up, meet a standard, and earn our respect, earn our love.  and if their performance has been less than satisfactory, they don't deserve our attention, much less our affections.  and not that we hate them, but we don't truly love them... maybe we do.  maybe it's just cold love.  maybe we could use some forgiveness too.

"So watch yourselves.  If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."  The apostles said to the Lord, "INCREASE OUR FAITH!"  He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."
-Luke 17:3-6

xo


currently listening: Immersed, by Various IHOP artists
currently reading: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith
currently watching: Once.  and listening to the soundtrack.. Falling Slowly is played repeatedly throughout the week.