(~) Forgive

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in
the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were
not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had
a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He
remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he
had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger,
resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing
all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek
the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he
prayed:

"Lord - - - You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have
told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. ! ; Today, you
have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know
how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done
against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is
Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My
anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you
teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - - - Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt
something fall onto his shoulder... He opened his eyes. Out of the corner
of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see
what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece
of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the
wood ! with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears
came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His
hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into
His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As
their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to
speak.

Have you ever told a lie, he asked?

The man answered - - - yes Lord.

Have you ever been given to much change and kept it?

The man answered yes Lord. And the man sobbed more a nd more.

Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours, Jesus asked?

And the man answered yes Lord.

Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?

The man, crying now, answered yes Lord.

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became
uncontrollable, for he could only answer yes Lord.

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt
something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the
blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and
there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when
you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.

Read the first line below slowly and let it sink in. This is simple, and
important. Read on ... This first line is deep.

If God brings you to it - - - He will bring you through it.

Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, today. For without You
I can do nothing.

Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian
http://Rainbow-Christian.tk

The Lord is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
http://Ninure-Saunders.tk

My Yahoo Group
http://Ninure.tk

My Online Diary
http://www.ninure.deardiary.net
-
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.MCCchurch.org

To send e-mail, remove nohate from address