My son ran to me in a panic. He was screaming in pain.
He and his cousin, Xander had been playing so well together, but even in the midst of having fun, they had a collision and Nate got hurt. Nothing severe, of course, but he thought it was intentional and he came running to tattle (and get a little sympathy)! Xander ran in the opposite direction for fear that I would side with my 2 year old, but I needed him to clear things up for me. After he filled me in on the details, I explained to Nate that it was just an accident, and Xander eagerly apologized immediately.
I couldn't "make" Nate forgive him, but it's just a practice in our house that when someone apologizes, the offended person needs to respond with, "I forgive you". Nate knows this practice, but needed a friendly reminder.
Me: "Nate, tell Xander, 'I forgive you'".
Nate: (reluctantly) "Okay....I FORGET you!"
With all my strength, I tried to maintain my motherly demeanor, but instead I burst into laughter. In fact, we all did. His little 2 yr old brain and mouth fumbled on his words!
Oh my! How often this happens to us all. Someone hurts us or our feelings and we come running to God. Sometimes it really is unintentional, yet other times we're justified in our hurt. Regardless, His answer is always the same gentle reminder; FORGIVE them!
If you're anything like me, it doesn't come easy! I want some sympathy for my hurt. I want to tattle! But I'm always reminded that I too, have needed forgiveness from time to time! Even times when I didn't deserve forgiveness! Oh, amazing grace! It sure would be much easier just to mark our offenders off our list, nodding goodbye, screaming, "FORGET YOU!" Yet, He asks that we "be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving one another just as Christ forgave us!"(Ephesians 4:32)
I'm so thankful for that forgiveness extended to me. How amazing it truly is!
So, as bad as you may want to FORGET someone, FORGIVE instead!
Colossians 3:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore,
as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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I forget you! Oh that is too cute. :)
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is hard. But how can we not forgive and expect God to forgive us!? Great encouragement.
Well, this is one for the baby book, right? I just love those little speechisms that our little ones make that sometimes so aptly describes real life! A very sweet post, Lindsay. Adds new meaning to that old saying, Forgive and forget!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lindsay. How many times have I wanted to say, "Forget you!" But God! God has forgiven me soooo many times and extended His amazing grace to me. I want to forgive from a heart full of God's love.
ReplyDeleteI love this story! Actually, if we can forget the imagined or actual wrong, we are well on are way to forgiveness. Out of the mouths of babes! Thank you for this great post and for hosting this link-up,
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Great reminder Lindsay. Although our initial inclinations is often to "tattle" and yell, we're called to follow in Christ's footsteps and forgive... Certainly not easy, but absolutely worth it!
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!