May 31, 2017 - When my mother decided to remarry after my father passed away, I was not necessarily on board with it. My future step-father was about to take on a lady who had five sons, none of which were angels. I remember on several occasions playing "tricks" on my prospective step father to get him to "go away". I once ran up to him when he came up to pick my mom up in his freshly starched white shirt, and gave him a big hug. However, I had just happened to be playing in the "burn pile" outside just prior and left two little black hand prints on his shirt. But what changed my attitude toward him forever was when I finally came out one day and told him how I really felt.
I said some pretty mean things that he took without wavering. As he left I instantly felt convicted. It was like I had been locked in a prison cell and I had to get free. I remembered the times he had shown me love when I didn't deserve it. How he was always quick to forgive and defend me when I had obviously done wrong. I couldn't stand it any longer. I new that he was going to a friends house about a mile away. I began to run to where I new he was. I had to tell him I was sorry for what I had said. When he saw me running up the road he ran up to meet me. I was crying and asked for his forgiveness. He hugged me and told me he already had. He said he knew that I didn't mean what I had said but even if I did he would love me anyway. Our relationship was never the same after that. At the age of 11 a learned a valuable lesson in love and forgiveness. When I was asked to speak at his funeral four years ago, It was my honor to stand and say my step father was the kindest, gentlest, most forgiving man I had ever known. He taught me that sin locks you in prison but forgiveness sets you free.
Forgiveness is a vital part of any relationship. Ask any couple who has been married for any length of time and they will tell you that you have to learn how to forgive to have a successful marriage. As a matter of fact any relationship whether it be business, social, or family is affected by our willingness to forgive other people. As a Christian, to forgive is not requested of us but commanded of us. We are required to forgive others to receive forgiveness ourselves. Jesus said " For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." (Matt 6:14-15) Its not a choice. You can't be a Christian and have an attitude of unforgiveness toward anyone. In Gods eyes forgiveness equals love. God shows His love for us by forgiving us of all our sins. The good news is that no matter what you have done in your life God promises to forgive you and make you His child. All you have to do is ask for it, repent, and receive it .
I'm just Saying
Mike Belgard
