This past Sunday was Mother’s Day. Children, young and old around our nation, joined in honoring their mothers with various gifts. Yet for many, including myself, Mother’s Day was a day that rekindled old fires. I picked up a Mother’s Day card written from a daughter to her mother and read the words, “You were always there for me.” Off went a spark.
Years ago, my parents got divorced. My mother no longer wanted to be with my father. In the end, my mother was not only separated from my father, but also from me and my two brothers. I don’t think that is what she perceived the outcome would be. None the less that is what is was. She was not there for me.
I am now a mother myself. I still cannot fully understand her willingness to be separated from her children. I do not admire the choice she made. None the less I choose to admire her. I choose to dwell on the good choices she has made and on the times that she has been there. I choose to forgive her just as God through Christ forgave me. It takes a lot of prayer and my choice to forgive my mother was, and continues to be, tested. I ask God to help me see my mother as He sees her and pray that He would give me an even stronger love and appreciation for the woman she is.
Forgiveness is a continuous choice. It is the choice to extended grace indefinitely. It is, in my opinion, the greatest gift of love that one can give.
It is never too late to give the gift of forgiveness. Make the choice. If you truly desire to give the gift of forgiveness but it seems too hard to give, ask God to help you. I can assure you that He will. He forgave us and He empowers us to forgive others. Today, give the gift of forgiveness. It is the gift that matters most.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV) “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.” (Matthew 6: 14-16)
