Daily Power #291

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13)

One time when Amy was running late, our whole family loaded into our minivan behind schedule. Extremely frustrated, I punched the gas pedal and raced the Suburban like it was a Mustang GT. When Amy told me to slow down, rebelliously, I sped up. After missing a turn, I wheeled our vehicle around like something from the Dukes of Hazzard and did a one-eighty in the middle of a four-lane street.

Kids flew in all directions and screamed in fear. Fortunately, no other cars were near enough to get hit, and none of us were hurt. While I straightened our vehicle, the whole car was silent. No one spoke. No one moved. No one breathed.

Finally, our oldest daughter, age twelve at the time said, “Daddy, you need to pull this car over, and Mom needs to give you a hard spanking!”

She was right. I had just acted like a total you-know-what. The only thing I could do, was fall on my sword and ask for forgiveness. “I messed up really bad. I’m so sorry. What I did was wrong. Will you please forgive me?” I said sincerely.

Of course they all forgave me and still retell the “Daddy needs a spanking” story. They know I’m not perfect, nor do I pretend to be. But they also know that I love God and want to please him. When I don’t, I do what we all should do and ask for his help and forgiveness.

Is there someone you need to ask to forgive you? Today be mindful of the consequences your decisions have on the people around you.

Power Lift

Dear God, I’m far from perfect and often fail to obey you. Forgive me when I mess up, and give me the strength to ask those I’ve sinned against to forgive me as well.