LOVE MEANS FORGIVING

In the scripture reading of 2 Samuel 1:23a, it tells us, " It was easy  for David to love Saul and Jonathan."


David's love for Jonathan seems easy to understand, for Jonathan was a young man with a good heart. But David's love for Saul, David's enemy?  Not so easy to understand.  But David did love Saul, choosing many times to respect Saul's life, even after being chased through the wilderness by Saul who wanted to kill him.


It is always best and true compassion to forgive another even when he or she has been cruel toward you.  If one works hard to dig out any resentment and soothes the wound with love toward  the other, forgiveness is certain to follow.  It's easy to say; it is impossible to do without God.


There have been many tragedies in the lives of those around me that have gone far beyond the little cruelties of everyday life.  I can't judge another for not being able to forgive or not wanting to, because, "There but for the grace of God, go I."  I can only have the courage to pray for peace for those terribly hurt and pray for repentance for the one or ones responsible. The enemies of our country and our free world need our prayers now, as do those whose lives have been shattered because of those same enemies.


God, help us to practice forgiving little things so we will be well prepared for that which will be harder to forgive.  Our world needs You, as it needs our prayers for love and peace. Forgive us when we are slow to forgive another and help us to love when we can only feel hate. Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Enter into our lives and into the lives of those who hate us.  And show us how to be One with you in this time of hurt and hatred. Amen.




My friend, I hope you are with  me in this prayer for a loving world.


Jo INMN