21/05/2024
Hi Parents & Vine Kids,
I still haven’t got any names for my signature bear from the kids!
What I want to share today is probably more for adults, however, the kids need to be able to express this as well.
Forgiveness:
Forgiving someone is more than likely always hard to do, (especially when it’s family or close friends).
However, God clearly gives us instruction to forgive:
‘Forgive others as I have forgiven you,’
Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25.
Jesus also states in these scripture’s that if we can’t forgive our Heavenly Father He won’t forgive us.
Jesus showed us how to forgive right up to His end, on the cross, when He said ‘Father forgive them as they know not what they do.’ - Mark 23:34.
Some more scripture’s that point us to forgiveness:
Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13
God will take you on a journey to forgiveness when you are ready to face it. You will need to give Him the pain, anger, bitterness etc, etc. And ask Him to fill those empty spaces with His (love, joy, peace, etc).
Then we can ask Him to help us to forgive, by the act of your free will.
When I first learnt about forgiveness not only did I realise I was the only one who carried all the baggage & those who hurt me were let off the hook.
I heard a lady say that when she started the journey to forgiveness,she would ask God with gritted teeth, ‘I ask you Father God by the act of my free will for You to help me to forgive this person, who has so badly hurt me, because I can’t in my own’.
Remember forgiveness is about you not the other people.
In my journey of forgiveness, after I had dealt with a lot of my issues (not saying I still don’t have issues to walk through). I began to get deeper in my heart repairing, I realised I didn’t like myself & blamed myself for my past mistakes with my family.
And again the wise lady mentioned above, told me that if I don’t forgive myself, then I’m still nailing Jesus to the cross.
I know it is hard to forgive others, but it’s freeing having peace in your heart instead of anger & hatred (to hate is to murder).
Don’t forget that our kids are watching & listening as to how we deal with conflict, bullying, loneliness etc.
Be their witness, be their support & encouragement to seek God on how to forgive others & forgive yourself.
