Most heavily prior to losing our brother-in-law just a few short weeks ago, I've been dealing with a very dear friend whom I love, that is battling personal demons. These demons are decades of childhood trauma, abuse, substance abuse and rage to name a few.
The one thing that surprises me each and every morning is the very loud and booming, yet cheerful "Good morning, Sunshine!" when I stumble into the living room or kitchen. Now, I am NOT a morning person and my first instinct is to want to punch him in the throat......but I don't.....because that would be frowned upon.
Usually, the next sentence goes something like, "Are you still mad at me about yesterday?" or "I'm sorry about yesterday." In my sleepy mind, I have to shuffle back through the last 24 hours to figure out, "Wait, what happened yesterday?," only to remember, "Oh yeah, that." My almost daily response is, "yeah, just don't let it happen again," or something similar.
The last time I heard this I got to thinking; every day is a new day. Every day is a new day to try to fix what was done yesterday, or continue the path from yesterday (either good or bad!). Either way, we forgive each other daily (over and over and over again) because we are called to forgive one another.
In Matthew, Jesus was sharing knowledge and wisdom with his disciples. In Matthew 18:21-22 we read:
"At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus
replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."
I'm not a math person, but that's a lot of times to forgive!!! Easier said than done, right?
Lamentations 3:22-23 also reminds us:
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed; His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Did you get that? "They are new EVERY morning." So if Scripture tell us that "His mercies are new every morning," (towards US!!), then who are we to not give new mercies every morning? New mercies, forgiveness, compassion towards family, friends, co-workers (hardest part for me to this day!), people we make contact with on a regular basis and yes, even ourselves!!!!
Do I forgive easily? Yes!
Do I forgive enough? Hardly!
Do I need to make changes and improve on being more merciful, forgiving and compassionate towards other? Of course!
Do I need to make changes and improve on being more merciful, forgiving and compassionate towards myself? You bet!!!
