Unforgiveness showed up at breakfast this morning, sticking out like an unwelcome guest at our table.
In a family of six, he comes often. Sometimes, he comes with me. As a Mom with ideas about how things should go in this place, with kids whose ideas often differ from mine–I’m learning to forgive, truly and fully and often. {Emphasis on learning.}
It’s not easy to forgive and let go of offenses. Especially when we know they’re going to do it again.
This morning, Unforgiveness came because it can be hard to share a bedroom with a brother. I told the kids to clean their rooms before coming to breakfast. But you can imagine how two different people move at totally different speeds before 8 AM.
One stayed up too late reading and wanted to stay in bed. The other had been awake a while and was hungry for breakfast. He took care of most of the room while begging his brother to help. But while he did more than his fair share, frustration turned to anger, and he let his brother have it.
When he finally took a breath, I said some words about forgiveness.
He assured me I didn’t understand the situation. This isn’t at all about forgiveness, Mom. It’s about what HE KEEPS ON DOING. It’s about how I’M DOING ALL THE WORK.
You want me to forgive him?
What kind of place is this?
He didn’t say that last part, but you could almost see it working its way out of him.
I know this feeling all too well. I’ve been in his shoes, so many times.
I’ve let someone have it, because I had taken just about more than I could stand and this is enough, I’ve said.
I’ve said it to him, to the kid who sat there eating his eggs and letting us know, in no uncertain terms, he’d had enough.
I’ve also been the one in need of forgiveness, for a long list of reasons.
As followers of Jesus, we’ve been forgiven, infinitely and completely.
As that truth sinks in deeper, we become more quick to forgive. We grow in forgiveness as it becomes more natural, although it’s not always easy.
Inside these walls, within our families, this is where we work it out. This is where we learn to forgive so that instead of carrying around our anger, we carry around love. Instead of irritation, we learn to let love cover over a multitude of offenses.
Opportunities abound inside these walls. Am I right Moms? And Dads and sons and daughters?
Opportunities to forgive abound, because of all of us. Also, opportunities to love abound.
May we be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave each one of us.
May we follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us…
{Taken from Ephesians 4:32-5:2}
Start forgiveness within families. Such a good example. Wonderful words from you today Angela. You’re posts are a delight to read.
Thanks, Christy! I appreciate the encouragement. #RaRaLinkup
A wise & needed word. May we teach forgiveness within our homes & families so that we then, can extend it outside our four walls. Glad to have stopped here this morning! Have a blessed Tuesday!
Thank you, Joanne! Glad you stopped by…have a wonderful day!
I love the way you weave scripture and real life stories we’ve all lived before and relate to. I need this word myself to continue being gracious to a 16 year old who is undergoing culture shock as we’ve come back to America and is fed up with homeschooling. Lord, give us all grace for our families!
Thank you Betsy! I can imagine how hard that culture shock would have to be! And homeschooling is no joke…my oldest is 12, so we’re not doing high school level work yet, but it makes me tremble to think about. 🙂 The last line of your comment is right on…Lord, give us grace!
Angela, I am always blessed by your words. We’re thinking of having our boys start sharing a room soon, and you’re giving me a glimpse of what this may look like. 😉 But I know with the challenges come blessings too. We all need a seasonal lesson in forgiveness because it goes so contrary to our flesh, doesn’t it. Thank you for sharing, friend. Beautiful post.
Abby, yes the challenges and blessings come together. Much of the time, our boys have loved sharing a room…and the funny thing is, ours have totally switched places with this whole “who did more work” thing. It’s definitely something to work through, and something anyone who ever holds a job in the workplace will probably face and need to know how to deal with as well. 🙂
Unforgiveness shows up at our table sometimes too…usually accompanied by his sidekick “Cranky.” ~ Sweet post, Angela. How much the Lord has shown favor on me with His forgiveness. Love Him. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. ((blessings))
That’s crazy, we know Cranky too! 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement…and such truth, how much favor the Lord has shown on us with His forgiveness. Blessings to you!