Forgiveness is a Choice

A misconception I often hear regarding forgiveness is it can take a long time. The thought process goes something like this: the deeper the wound, the longer it takes to recover. Minor offenses can be forgiven quickly, but major offenses can take years to process and forgive. I’ve even heard certain offenses describe as “unforgivable.” But is that really true? Is the speed of forgiveness determined by the depth of the wound? I think not.

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Right Angle Right Hand

Have you ever thought about the phrases, His right-hand man, seated at his right hand, and extend the right hand of fellowship as being anything more than just a clever way to say that someone is important? I never connected the three phrases until the other day when I was sent to the garage to get a right angle for some work my husband was doing at the house. As I stared at the pegboard looking for the needed tool, I began to think about that term and all the other ways we use the word, right. The dictionary defines the word right as conformity with standards or truth, just, set straight, vindicated, or in a vertical position. Then the light bulb went off. Jesus is our right angle, vindicating us, setting us straight with the Father and, when placed alongside our hearts, He connects us to our Heavenly Father. When we extend the right hand of fellowship to someone we are in essence saying, “I am symbolizing, by extending my right hand to you, that we are connected in spirit because Jesus is our right angle, vindicating and setting us right with God.”

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Rooftop Revival

Three-year-old niece Rachel asked her daddy if she could go up on the roof with him and walk around. Thinking he could appease her, he told her she would have to wait until she was seven. He figured no child would remember a promise that long, and no more mention was made of it …

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A Fearful Queen

In a recent Bible study I was reminded again of the Old Testament story of Queen Esther. When faced with the choice to reveal her real identity and go to the king to protect her people, she was afraid. After all, anyone who went before the king without being summoned could be put to death, and it had been thirty days since he’d last sent for her. She knew her life stood in the hands of a king’s whim. Mordecai’s reminder that “who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this,” helped her to gather her courage.  For three days she prayed, fasted and called her people to do the same. In spite of her fear, she stood before the king to beg him for the lives of her people. God did intervene for Esther and the Jewish people because of her obedience.

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The Old Pink Robe Ain’t What She Used to Be

Years ago my mom bought a pink chenille robe for a hundred dollars. It was a special robe – floor length, pockets and an attached belt – everything she had been searching for in a robe. For ten years she’s worn the robe faithfully. Cuddled up on the couch, down the sidewalk to grab the paper, standing out on the deck to take the dog out, in a suitcase from Georgia to Texas and back several times – that robe has seen a few miles. However, like everything else in life, over time the robe is beginning to look a little worn. Years of washing and wearing have taken a toll on the precious pink garment. The chenille is worn out in places, leaving thin patches of fabric polka-dotting the robe. The color has faded to a pale shade of baby pink. The shawl collar is limp and the coffee and ice cream stains that dribble the front of the robe don’t add anything to its already humble state. 

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