Forgiveness is a Gift

Oops! I'm a little late today, but maybe someone will see this and get a little encouragement from it.

 

FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT

BY

DEBORAH MALONE

 

In my newest book “Murder in Marietta” one of the characters uses the verse Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ, God forgave you,” to show God’s desire for us to forgive others.

 

We all know that forgiveness is not easy. Actually, I think it’s easier for a large booty woman to put on pair of small pantyhose than to forgive someone that has hurt us or a loved one. Not only does God want us to forgive others, he wants us to forgive ourselves. Something we all have a hard time doing. God doesn’t want it to be hard. He gave his life so that we could freely have forgiveness. In Matthew he invites us to give our burdens and past mistakes to him.

 

Matthew 11:28-30 “… Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

I believe forgiveness is a gift to us. Forgiveness is not for the person who has committed a grievance against us – it is for the person who carries the hurt and pain from that act. When we forgive another we can then begin the healing process. Carrying the hurt around like a sack of potatoes only makes us sick. When we let go of that sack of potatoes (hurt and pain) and give it to God we are the ones who will benefit.

 

Will it be easy – about as easy as an elephant preforming a ballet – but the end result will be worth it. Maybe next time you need to forgive someone look at forgiveness as a gift from God for the forgiver and you might find it to be a little sugar to help the medicine go down.

 

 

Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historical magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards. Her debut cozy mystery "Death in Dahlonega", a winner in the ACFW Category Five Writer's Contest, is now available.
She is a current member of the Georgia Writers Association, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Deborah has been nomiated for Georgia Author of the Year 2012. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction. You can also catch her at Sleuths and Suspects, where she reviews mysteries. She also contributes to the Cozy Mystery Magazine every other Tuesday.