FORGET ABOUT IT

We’re trying to teach Nova about apologizing. About taking responsibility for the things she does, good and “bad”. I know she’s still young but it’s never too early to teach a kid this stuff, right?

But even more important, we’re teaching her about forgiveness.

It is more important than saying sorry because forgiveness given is never a waste, never a loss to the one extending or giving it. It’s only a loss to the person who refuses to receive it.

We should, in essence, be prepared to extend that forgiveness, even without a “sorry” from the other person.

The other day I overheard her dad telling her to “forget about it.” When I listened more closely, I heard him explain to her that in our family we don’t remember the wrong things we do, once we say we’re sorry, we say: “forget about it”.

Goodness, did I need that reminder.

I think one of the greatest responsibilities we have as christians is to mirror for others what Christ has done for us. In essence he has forgotten about every single stain against our names. He’s loved us at our absolute worst, when we weren’t even that lovable.

Sounds like parenting a toddler, am I right?

I can see Christ in my marriage and have been the recipient of that kind of “forget about it” grace from my husband more times than I can keep count of.

And I’ve seen this grace play out towards me from my children when I don’t handle a moment the way I should; when I should have been more gracious, or should have slowed down and given a seemingly insignificant moment the gravitas it deserved because it was a big deal to one of my kids.

If we are the receivers of such grace, we carry upon us a mandate to be the givers of it also.

Grace for our spouse, our kids, our family, friends, our parents, our employers...grace for ourselves.

Yes, for ourselves.

Make sure you don’t just leave the left overs of grace for yourself at the end of the day.

Scraping the bottom of the grace barrel is not sustainable.

God is not a God of leftovers; he has the best in mind for you, so you should have the best in mind for yourself too.

Grace for yourself when you mess up, fall short, don’t win, have to try again.

Grace for yourself when you’re tired, overwhelmed, feeling defeated.

Grace today, grace tomorrow.

Don’t forget about that. Xx