We all have good days and bad day. And then sometimes we have days that are complete and total disasters, when we feel completely out of sync with who and what we are. Yesterday morning was one of those for me. I could feel the tension as soon as I woke up. So much to do and not enough time to do it in. I raced around the house trying to knock things off of my list before settling down with Isaac to begin his school day. But as I sat there I could still feel the tension in my temples, my clenched jaw. I was practically vibrating.
Let’s just say that school did not go well and I was less than kind to my sweet, little boy. Angry word are like toothpaste, you can’t ever take them back. All you can do is ask for forgiveness. This morning Isaac and I were talking about our experience yesterday and he reassured me “don’t worry mom, we all have bad days, I forgive you”. I thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his understanding. And then, from my sweet little child, came such a brilliant piece of wisdom… “What kind of person would I be if I didn’t forgive you?” Indeed, Isaac, what kind of a person would you be. What a special gift he gave me this morning, and with such unconditional love.
And it just reminded me again of the amazing gift we have been given as children of God. Last night as I lay in bed I felt just awful about my behaviour toward a child that I love and adore. And though I prayed for forgiveness, I just couldn’t give it to myself. But Isaac reminded me this morning…to err is human, to forgive divine. I will always make mistakes no matter how hard I may try to be perfect. But there is always forgiveness available to me in those times that I fall. And the biggest lie of all is when we don’t take that forgiveness, offered to us just as Isaac offered it to me this morning, freely, innocently and unconditionally. When we refuse to forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and failings, and lack of perfection we are turning our backs on the most beautiful gift it is possible to receive.
If my child can offer forgiveness so freely, how much more powerful is the forgiveness offered to us by Christ. Give Him your cares and your burdens and let Him show you how to forgive yourself, just as He has forgiven you; to love yourself as much as He loves you.
God bless,
Meredith
finchmeredith1 