Can you FORGIVE????

Did you think I was going to make you look at pictures of ME all day long? Well, I was listening to the radio (as always) and they were talking about the most recent school shooting (yet another reason to home school...another topic for another day) and how the Amish were dealing with it. Here is a link to the story. I read the story, then watched the little video clip. It seriously makes me cry. I can't even imagine thought of something so horrible. Those poor little girls. And what about the man's own family. He has his own children and a wife. Their life will probably never be completely normal. If you have followed the story at all the media has really focused on the fact that the Amish have chosen to forgive the man (although he shot himself and is dead as well). The community has embraced the true meaning of forgiveness. They said the children are in a better place now and were thankful for the time they had with them. They also appreciated that the children were not assaulted like the man had originally planned (assumed because of the stuff he had with him). Isn't that incredible? The Bible does tell us to forgive others. In fact it talks about forgiveness A LOT. Do you think that is a coincidence? Well, of course not. Here are a few powerful verses which I am sure you have all heard before...

• 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
  22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matt. 18:21-22)

• 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

• 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

Why is it so difficult to forgive? I don't have an answer for you. I do know this, you can't just say you forgive someone. You have to forget about your anger and hurt. I am sure the Amish and those families that were effected will never forget this horrible thing happened, but maybe they can forget the bad feelings they have towards the event! During an interview with Ann Curry (from NBC) one Amish woman said this...

"We can tell people about Christ and actually show you in our walk that we forgive, not just say it, but in our walk of life. You know you have to live it, you can't just say it. "

Whew...that sure is a tough one. So here is my challenge. Right now think of three people who have done something to wrong you. It could be something big (abuse or abandonment) or small (cut you off when you were driving or told you your hair looked ugly). Well, my challenge is to pray for these people. Say a prayer for them everyday. If you say a little prayer for the people who have hurt you, it will be easier to forgive them. That doesn't mean you let people treat you poorly or continuously hurt you. It means you don't hold onto the anger. When you hold onto that anger it effects you NOT THEM. Right? Here is the truth. You don't have to even want to forgive them. If you pray for them daily, you are going to start to have a different attitude.

I am not perfect in this area. I know you all knew that...I just wanted you to know that I knew it. And the Amish aren't perfect but in this instance we should all be a little more like the Amish. Other than that...have a great day.