Forgiveness

We can't expect perfection from ourselves and most definitely, we can't expect it from others.  Everyone is unique with their own set of faults, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies that make them who they are.  While I may be a hard-worker, a good friend, and love Jesus, I also have to deal with my weakness of procrastination, often saying the wrong thing when I'm upset, and my messiness.  I have them, you have them (even if you don't want to admit it).  The question then becomes why is it so hard to forgive others when we have our own faults? If we took account of our own faults more often, I think it would be easier to accept others for their own. Often when I have been hurt by someone, I try to remember how God loves me so much and from that love springs the ability to be patient with me as well as forgiving even when I don't deserve it.  This helps me to see that God is also working those people that unintentionally hurt me. God's working in their life is born out of pure love for them as well. What many times we are guilty of is labeling someone else's faults as "way out there" or  saying, "what they did is different" just because they don't look like our own weaknesses. In truth, faults are faults. Let's learn to forgive for we are all a work in progress. So this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to let go of any hurts and disappointments you are dealing with, especially with others.  Set the other person free and return, set yourself free. 

Day 21: I am thankful for the forgiveness that I have been shown by Jesus Christ which in turn, gives me the grace and strength to forgive others.  

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8