70X7

It takes an incredible amount of energy and focus to be angry, unforgiving, or bitter. Then why, when presented with the option to let go of those feelings, do we say "I can't"? I imagine, if we took that same amount of energy and focus and poured it into a project, we would build a skyscraper. Single-handed. One stinking block at a time. A useless hulk of concrete and steel whose doors would never open to allow anyone to enter. If you are carrying blocks to the building this morning, then take a moment to stop. Do you feel the weight of them? Are you tired? Then what is preventing you from putting them down?

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. 29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Photo is from Google images, I don't know who to credit.

Broken Shards

When I look at me in the mirror, I see the flaws, the cracks, the giant imperfections from those "consequence" days. Those would be the ones where I tried to ram through the wall God put in my way, or tripped over my sin and banged my head on the floor. Again. Every time it happens, I wonder why God doesn't just scoop me up in his dust pan and put me out to the curb. Why He takes such great pains to continue to mend and mold me is hard for me to fathom. I know I'm dust. I blow gently in the breeze, never quite landing, occasionally dancing in a sunbeam but always a breath away from being blown out the door. I'm thankful for His love. I'm thankful that His mercies are new every morning. I'm thankful that He died and made a way for all of us to be whole again. So, this morning, I drop my broken pieces at the foot of the cross. Again. This is my love offering. Use the pieces as You will, Lord, and make them into something beautiful.
Genesis 2:7 NIV
the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Photo from google Images

Wounded Bliss

Anger says hello and winks. It hopes you won't look away, because it has a friend it would like you to meet. It introduces you to Unforgiveness. You go on a few dates, and Unforgiveness asks you for a commitment. "Til death do us part" you say. A few months later this new "marriage" gives birth to twins, Bitterness and Vengeance. You hold them tightly in your arms and love them with your whole heart. Bitterness and Vengeance grow into hurtful young adults, causing pain wherever they go. You can no longer control them. They look for others just like them, and form a gang called Self-Pity. Self-Pity joins up with Depression, Rage, Entitlement, and they are bent on destruction. Bitterness meets someone just like himself, and marries her, til death do they part. Their first child they name Wounded. Wounded never met Anger, but his parents mention him all the time. Wounded runs into Anger who introduces himself as a close friend. Anger says hello and winks....

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