Forgiveness

 

I’ve been thinking about the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina where Dylann Roof shot nine people. I’ve been thinking about the families of those killed and their willingness to forgive the young man who shot their family members. I’m not sure I could do that, at least not for a few days. I think I would have to mourn first.

It took me several years to forgive my son, and those who were with him when he died in Montana, for not following the rules

Little things, like angry words, or being cut off in traffic are different. I can forgive those.

A friend recently made a joke about two elderly women with walkers at a movie, not thinking that I was sitting there on my walker. I didn’t even notice. She apologized a few days later and we laughed. For me the walker is a temporary thing and easy to forgive.

“Understanding that Jesus Christ has been forgiving and merciful to us can help us forgive and extend mercy to others. Jesus Christ is our Exemplar,” said President Thomas S. Monson. “His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’—a crowning expression in mortality of compassion and love.” -July Ensign Magazine.2015

Consider This

How can forgiveness benefit the one forgiving?

Matthew 16:14-15

 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 6:36-37

 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

“If we forgive others their trespasses, our Heavenly Father will also forgive us. Jesus asks us to “be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”  “Forgiveness for our sins comes with conditions,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. “We must repent. … Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed? … Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another.”-July Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.-

I know there are lots of times I do or say things without thinking and don’t realize that I need to repent and apologize. I’m sorry. I will try to be more thoughtful. Please forgive me.