To Forgive
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with
grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about
his life this day, he knew many things were not right.
He thought about those who had lied about him back when
he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had
stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered
family that had passed on. His mind turned to the
illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul
was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he
could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he
knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the
one he knew would always be there, and with tears in
his eyes, he prayed "Lord- You have done wonderful
things for me in this life. You have told me to do
many things for you, and I happily obeyed.
Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord,
because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair
Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done
against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As
perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot
do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so
deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that
you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do.Teach me
To Forgive.
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak
tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He
opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw
something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see
what it was because where the oak tree had been was a
large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised
his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a
large spike through them. He raised his head more, and
tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a
cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side,
a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His
head.
Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious
face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to
sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
Have you ever told a lie, he asked? The man answered -
yes Lord. Have you ever been given too much change and
kept it? The man answered yes Lord. And the man sobbed
more and more.
Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't
yours, Jesus asked? And the man answered yes Lord.
Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?
The man, crying now, answered yes Lord.
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The
man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only
answer yes Lord.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other,
and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder.
He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When
he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and
there was a look of love the man had never seen or
known before.
Jesus said, I didn't deserve this either, but I
forgive you.
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through
something, but when you look back in life, you realize
how true this statement is. Read the first line slowly
and let it sink in. This is simple, and important.
Read on.... This first line is deep.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through
it. Lord I love You and I need You, come into my
heart, Today. For without You I can do nothing.
[ Posted From: Kelly (calliope_2@hotmail.com) -- via 'andychaps_the-funnies' ]
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