The beauty of real forgiveness is in the presence of grace for yourself and those you forgive. I have read a number of stories about forgiveness, but the one I keep thinking about is the frozen turkey story.
There were these college kids out for a joy ride on break from school just joking around and one of them decided to throw a frozen turkey out of a moving car at another car. Well that turkey crashed into the window of a car and smashed the glass into a woman’s face and locked the steering wheel and she crashed the car. They were able to save her and rush her to the hospital, where she went operation after operation. Her face will never be the same along with other issues. When they all went to court to hear this story and lock up the young man. After the story was told in court everyone was ready to sentence the young man to years in prison.
The next day the judge came back with his sentence and it was very light, time served was his jail time and probation and community service. People were confused and upset with the sentence that is when the woman went up to the young man. She simply said, I forgive you. I don’t want your life destroyed over this situation you are free to do something positive with your life now. Later the judge told them that woman requested a lighter sentence for that young man. The judge said they talked for some time and he finally agreed with the woman to reduce his sentence.
There has been times I was hurt by others, but when I think of that story I simply say I forgive you. I know I feel the grace and freedom when I say you are forgiven. My forgiveness is forever too, I will never repeat that story or remind them about what they did, it’s over and gone from my mind. It truly is not our place to judge, only God should do the judging. I know I am not perfect either and I always ask for his forgiveness. So I pay it forward and forgive others for anything they do that offends me. It truly is joyful and love I enjoy as I forgive and share it with others.
Now let your heart forgive too…
Much joy and love to you and yours