Proverbs 17:9-10, “Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it.
So true!!! The bible is very clear on forgiving. You can search for verses about forgiveness and you will see an excess amount.  When I search on my website I didn’t realize that I had already mentioned it numerous times in journaling. Forgiveness is something that we must do!
Immediately after we read The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, these are the next two verses:
Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Ouch! It sounds like some forgiveness better start taking place, and most likely on a daily basis.  I know that is accurate for me. Daily I’m quite sure I do something that is not right. I want to be forgiven by those who I wrong. Sometimes I do wrong, and the precious other person doesn’t even have a clue that I’ve thought ill about them.  I still need to be forgiven.  By whom? God.  I need to get my act together, change my thoughts, and ask God for forgiveness and to help me to turn from those ways.  You know what? He can and He will. He will forgive if we are sincere about it (Oh He knows if we are or not.), and He will help us turn from our sinful ways.
When we don’t forgive so many things can happen.  To name a few, it can cause health issues for us (anxiety, heart-trouble, ulcers, etc.), stir up unbecoming attitudes, and the main thing that can happen is….Satan does a little happy dance and gets the biggest smirk on his face.
Would you rather have Satan smiling because of something you’ve said or done, or God?  Hmmm, not a lot of pondering there. I choose God.
It’s time for me to get a little personal.  (I hope it helps you.)  When I was fifteen, it was found out that my dad had gone through his mid-life crisis.  My parents, at least I know my mom did, tried to work on keeping their marriage together.  But after 27 years of marriage, the “Perfect Parker family” came to an end.
Divorce is an ugly thing. Extended families are divided, family friends (even church friends) aren’t the same, finances are difficult, and heartache has happened.
I was eighteen years old when it was all finalized.  My brothers were 22 and the twins were 26.  Yes, we were all adults.  But I don’t care how old you are, a tragic occurrence in one’s life like a divorce is devastating.
Time went by.  Bitter feelings were felt.  Disconnect from dad was evident, especially between he and my brothers. The family bond was definitely not the same.
Being the baby and the only girl in the bunch, I would hold on to hope of reconciliation between all. That was a tall order.
Time continued to pass.  After about ten years, my mom met a wonderful godly man who adores her and her grown children. The opportunities my mom has had has been a blessing.
More time has passed.  Even though my dad and I communicated throughout the years, it wasn’t “deep”, if you know what I mean. But, the first real breakthrough happened when I was pregnant with my third child.  By this time, about 15 years had gone by since the “D” day for my family.
It had been heavy on my heart.  Matthew 6:14-15 had spanked me good.  I had been “playing nice” for so long, but had I truly forgiven all that need to be forgiven?  God put on my heart to have a father-daughter chat with my dad.  I prayed and prayed and prayed.  I asked God for wisdom, words, and strength.
Well, it happened.  Dad had come over knowing that I wanted to have a talk with him.  My heart was racing and my mind was cautious.  But then God took over.  Whew! We had the BEST talk.  I finally heard him say he was sorry for what he had done to our family. I got ultra-real with him too and told him that I didn’t respect him as a man, but he is my dad and I love him. We talked, we cried, we hugged, we prayed together, and we (or should I say “I”) forgave.  I could feel the weight being lifted off of my shoulders and my heart.  It was easier to breathe. Truly!
A couple of more years passed and one of my brothers asked, “How did you forgive dad?” Again, Matthew 6:14-15 was brought to the forefront and quoted.  I also asked my brother if we had a bad childhood and upbringing.  “No.” was the reply.
It is so unfortunate how those bad times in our lives, even if they only lasted for a brief time, so outweigh all the good times in our minds. Those scales and balances are not so equal.
This story is almost over, but not yet.  Get this… after about twenty, yes, 20, years since the divorce, my dad called all of my brothers and my mom and told them that he was sorry and asked for forgiveness. Wow!!!! When my dad called me to tell me he did that and that all the responses were positive and pleasant, I was standing beside the outfield at my youngest son’s little league baseball game and started boohooing with joy.
My dad is remarried to a wonderful Christian lady.  The change I have seen in him with her is refreshing.  He is a more humble and loving father, man, and grandfather.  The relationship between my dad and me, and my children, are great.  They enjoy grandpa Parker and enjoy him coming over.  He has a sense of humor and is full of hugs.
Forgive and be forgiven.
Proverbs 17:9-10, “Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it.
I’m so grateful for the strength in the relationship between my father and me.  It is only through our Heavenly Father that this can truly happen.
Forgiveness….a must!
Blessings to you all.

July 7 2 Kings 22:1-23:37 Acts 10:1-23 Psalm 78:56-64 Proverbs 17:9-10