The bear; Forgiving

'The Bear' who stops by our cabin nightly to say 'hi'.

Picture taken from our cabin deck.

A verse I have been thinking about this week...

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

Have you ever thought about the number of times you have asked the Lord to forgive you? Let me rephrase that… Have you ever thought about the number of times you have needed forgiveness? As I was walking yesterday, I was thinking of all the times I have messed up. The times I have failed to be all God wanted me to be. The times I have begged God for forgiveness. The times I have expected to be forgiven for the same sin over and over; a short temper, a snip of my mouth, gossip, being jealous of a new 'toy' a friend has, coveting instead of rejoicing over a newly announced pregnant friend, not listening to God's voice because I was too busy ... and my list goes on... I thought of the grudges I hold against others. The stubbornness I harbor with in me, preventing me from granting mercy to a friend. The bitterness I have held on to because of a harsh word spoken to me. The beginning of the verse says to 'bear with each other' it does not say 'pass judgement', 'hold a grudge', or 'consider myself more worthy'. I am to have patience with those around me, granting them mercy when they mess up. According to the end of the verse, I, yes me, Annika, the imperfect one, the one who messes up several times a day, and knows without a doubt the Lord will forgive me when I don't deserve it, am to forgive as the Lord forgives me. That puts a new perspective on forgiving others.... I must go now, I have a few notes of forgiveness I need to write!