Giving Up the Burden

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.’ ” (Luke 11:4 NIV)

I ran across an interesting quote this morning:

"Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology that you never got."

For many, that quote will not make sense.  All of us probably know at least one person burden with a grudge against another who will not forgive because an apology has never been offered.  How sad.  Notice that I said they were "burdened with a grudge."  Unforgiveness is the biggest burden we can carry and yet many of us insist on holding on to it with every ounce of strength we have.  For some reason, we think that our own burden is making someone else's life uncomfortable.  hmmmm.... no.  It only makes our own lives harder.

Speaking from experience I can tell you that forgiveness is freeing.  It feels very much like a burden removed from your shoulders.  And an apology is totally unnecessary to the process.  In the Lord's Prayer we recite, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."  I don't know about you, but I don't even KNOW about all the ways I've trespassed against God let alone asked forgiveness for every one of them.  I hope that in my willingness to forgive those who have not asked for it, my Father in heaven will do the  same for me.

But it is more than just about wanting God to forgive me.... I know he does every day... it is about living free from the bitterness and narrowness of life that unforgiveness brings.  It is about following God's map to abundant life.  Forgiveness is one of the major highways that leads there.

Father,
I pray for the ability to always forgive others as you forgive me... apology or not.  Keep me free from the burden of a grudge.  Amen.

Joys:  My sick little Cecelia feeling much better; Kevin's joy in hearing Emma say, "da-da-da-da-da";   getting to spend a few minutes with Daniel unexpectedly.