Enough Apologies

     A police officer approached a minister from a certain congregation. "Would you talk to your young men?" he asked. " They're always very nice and respectful when I stop them, but I've had enough apologies. I just want them to slow down!" 
    Oh, yes, I understood the officer's feelings. Enough apologies. Time to change. My thoughts turned to our relationship with God. I imagined Him listening as I come to Him day after day with my apologies for all the failures in my life. I supposed He was something like that officer, tired of my apologies and frustrated that I wouldn't just change.
    But then a new thought stole into my heart. Our great and wonderful Father is not a police officer. He keeps no record of my mistakes and apologies. He doesn't have a book that He looks over and shakes His head, wondering if I will ever learn. He understands my humanness, and as long as I sincerely try to serve Him to the best of my ability, He has made a beautiful promise: "I will be merciful toward their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12)
    So many times I stumble on the path, snapping at my sister, losing patience with my school children, having critical thoughts towards those around me, and I come to God feeling like a failure. Sometimes I assume He is tired of my apologies, and I need to just try to do better on my own. I've messed up again, after so many good intentions, and it's a little embarrassing to confess to Him again. 

    Yes, we should grow. There comes a time to move on from our own personal temptations. But we need to recognize that if we fall, we are not a complete failure. We need only come with a childlike spirit back to our Savior and ask His forgiveness once again, trusting in His promise that not only will He forgive, He will completely forget! 

    A love so great that it is capable of forgetting a grievance committed toward it is more than my earthly mind can comprehend. The acceptance of that love takes us to a place in our own hearts where we can forgive others. An understanding of God's complete forgiveness helps me to find victory rather than giving in to feelings of hopelessness, and it is in the overwhelming goodness of His grace that I wish to walk through this life, seeking ever first His Kingdom.

Forgiveness

I turned away,

    turned away from God,

    I couldn't bear all my sin.

    I tried to flee, but I could not stay,

    For He called to me again.

And He called me child,

And He called me by name,

And He pled that I not stray.

Then as I watched,

I in wonder saw

His blood wash my sins all away,

            His blood wash my sins all away!

I hid my face,

    hid my face in shame,

    For had I not killed the Son?

    But He drew me close and He said to me,

    "Your sins are forgiven each one!"

Then He called me child,

And He called me by name,

I saw blood on my Savior's brow;

Then I heard Him say,

"Your sins are forgiven.

Forgive, as I forgive now,

            Forgive, as I forgive now!"

So in this life,

    in this blood-bought life,

    When I feel I've been done wrong,

    And I want to nurse a vile hate,

    I cannot do it long!

For He calls me child

And I see the cross

Where He died that I may live,

I stand amazed at His tender love,

And then can do not but forgive,

            And then can do not but forgive.

3-3-11