It’s Already Forgotten

It’s Already Forgotten

Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Matthew 18:21-22

I knew immediately, even as the bitter words were coming out of my mouth, that I was wrong. We’d been traveling for several days with extended family, and as we made our last stop on our journey home, I broke. Angry words directed at my father-in-law spewed out before I’d even taken the time to think them through. We drove the rest of the way home in silence, my heart heavy with the words I’d just said.

As the first few days went by and we settled back in at home, I could not shake from my mind the unkind things I had said to Dave. I knew that I was wrong and that I needed to apologize. I hesitantly picked up the phone and called him, and my mother-in-law answered in her normal, cheery voice. I weakly asked if Dave was around and if I could talk to him for a minute.

“Sure!” She responded, and I heard her call for him.

He picked up the phone, and immediately I burst into tears. As he waited for my crying to subside, I tried to speak through my tears. “I’m so sorry for what I said,” I blurted out between sobs. “It wasn’t right of me to say those things.”

He interrupted me with his usual calm voice. “It’s all right,” he stated. “I’d already forgiven you. It’s been forgotten.”

I let out the long sigh I’d been holding inside for days, as the weight of guilt lifted off my shoulders. His words sank deep into my heart, offering relief and a mended relationship with him.

Dave’s words are ones that I have thought of often when I’m faced with some unkindness or slight toward me. Even in Scripture we see Peter asking Jesus how often we must forgive someone. Jesus’ reply is very telling: “Seventy times seven!” I understand this to mean that we are to offer forgiveness as often as someone needs it. Although challenging, it’s a kindness we are not only encouraged but commanded to offer to others. Whom do you need to offer forgiveness to today?

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Forgive someone that you have been holding a grudge against, even if they have not asked for it.