Prayers and Thoughts

for Reflection

Lenton Devotional

2007

March 13

The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. 

Mahatma Gandhi

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

Forgiving does not mean forgetting. When we forgive a person, the memory of the wound might stay with us for a long time, even throughout our lives. Sometimes we carry the memory in our bodies as a visible sign. But forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of attention, our friends for their unfaithfulness in crisis, our doctors for their ill advice, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events we had no control over. Forgiveness allows us to claim our own power and not let these events destroy us; it enables them to become events that deepen the wisdom of our hearts. Forgiveness indeed heals memories.

Author Unknown

Forgiveness is God’s command.

Martin Luther

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14 – 15

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Give yourself the gift of time. Time alone, time with friends and loved ones, time to do something you love, and time to grow. Sometimes our minds know the changes we need to make but our hearts haven’t made the transition yet. Like a garden through the year, understand that you, too, have your seasons of growth and your seasons of rest. Be patient with yourself and with God. Believe me, He will make your garden grow. Celebrate what you can do and be patient with what you can’t do. Trust that all will work out and even the delays may be part of the plan. You don’t have to do everything at once. Take baby steps, not giant leaps. And let your heart lead the way.
Author Unknown

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Author Unknown

Dear Father, Keep me from the traps of anger and bitterness.  Help me to be forgiving always, to show kindness, tenderness, patience and love.  Make me generous with words of encouragement. Let my actions point others to you.

Amen.