Forgiveness--not always easy

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

My husband, Tim, and I were meeting at McDonalds to get a bite to eat before we attended the Christmas eve-eve service at church. I arrived at the restaurant before him. As I waited, sirens screamed along the road. A sick feeling hit me. Within fifteen minutes my phone chimed. Tim told me he’d been in an accident. He was okay but they were taking him to the hospital to make sure. What I found out after that made me mad.

The man who hit Tim wasn’t paying attention. He simply did not slow down when he should have. I don’t know what distracted him. At that point I didn’t care; I just knew he hurt my husband, who I love. My anger grew for several days. Even though I praised God that Tim was not seriously injured and was still with me, I raged inside. I was able to thank God but I was not making progress in the forgiveness department. I knew I needed to forgive the man, but my anger kept rising. Through Christmas, I tamped it down while I celebrated with family. When the New Year rolled around, I knew in my heart it was time to let go and forgive. Even at that I struggled, until one Sunday during communion I thought about how much God had forgiven me. At that point I let go and prayed. I forgave the man, and God forgave me once again, for holding on to my anger. I praise God every day that Tim walked away from what could have been his last drive, and I thank God for forgiveness.