I remember as children my twin sister and I would wake up early in the morning and put tacks on the stairs. We would strategically place the tacks with the point facing up where we thought someone would step on them. Then we would each hide on either side of the stairwell and watch as our groggy mother stepped on a tack, scream out in pain and try to take the tack out of her foot while trying to not fall down the stairs.
My twin and I would cover our mouths to try and stifle our mischievous laughs. We were horrible! I still can’t believe we used to do that! We didn’t fully realize at that age that hurting people was wrong. Years later we remembered our horrifying deed and asked for our mother’s forgiveness. I think back to this every time someone hurts me.
Many people hurt others; and for any number of reasons, they don’t really comprehend that what they are doing is wrong. Yes, we may become upset; but at some point, we’re going to have to give the pain up to God. Even if they have never asked for forgiveness, it’s up to us to forgive them and let it go. And, hopefully, others will forgive us for the hurt we unknowingly caused them.
Memory Verse:
“To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
– Acts 26:18 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, please forgive me for any sins that I have committed without fully understanding of the repercussions. If possible, help me to ask forgiveness from those that I have hurt. Also, help me to forgive those who have hurt me, including…”
Contributing Writer:
Alisa Hope Wagner
Faith Imagined
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