Cross Words – How About a Game of Scrabble?

I’ll admit, this blog today came from seeing this “Cross-Words” graphic as I scrolled through images. That graphic spoke volumes to me so I added the Scrabble words to a cross. I saw those words and immediately I started thinking about a little game-play I’ve been indulging in during this time of isolation. I don’t typically take the time for such idle play, but when I saw an advertisement for a Scrabble play app, I conceded!

The Scrabble board game was one my husband and I often played together. I remember us making up a word to fit. The opposing player, if they didn’t believe it was an actual word, would grab Webster's dictionary and reveal if it was a real word or not! Now, it’s easy to play online because it tells you right away if your word is actually a real one or not. Cha-ching! Oh, the joys of technology!

Speaking of “for real” words that matter are the words of Christ – you know, those red-letter ones in the Bible. He always packed-a-punch with anything He said. But none were more impactful than his last words spoken from the cross. You may have been with someone in their last hours of life and you have never forgotten those last words.

For every one of us, there will come a last meal, a last breath, and, perhaps, a last statement. In many ways, what we say in the end can be an insight into what we were in life, what we stood for, lived for. I’ve heard of many people who lived a life without Christ and their last words were of bitterness, hatred and despair. Their words were “cross” words – that represented a life of rejection, anger and hopelessness. But, oh what a difference for those Who know our risen Lord and Savior. They are at peace and you sense it in their calmness and in their words.
Jesus uttered seven impactful phrases from the cross, but I’m most struck with these words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those were the words of forgiveness for those who mistreated Him, lied about Him, rejected Him and were crucifying Him. Oh, Lord, may I daily offer prayers of grace and mercy as I forgive those who don’t know what they’re doing to me, and to others.

Jesus’ example of forgiving in the greatest, most profound way is a clarion call to us. If He could forgive, so can we. Since He was God in the form of man, He could have condemned His torturers or destroyed them with His breath. But, He didn’t. His words of forgiveness should be indelibly imprinted on our hearts! Those CROSS WORDS I choose to make my words. How about you?

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Forgiveness is Unlocking the Door to Freedom

Forgiveness is Unlocking the Door to Freedom
FORGIVENESS: to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek his or her forgiveness for the relationship to be restored. Forgiveness isn't granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead, it is an act of love, mercy, and grace. "Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free, and realizing you were the prisoner." Max Lucado

I’ll admit FORGIVING is a “tough nut to crack” when we’ve been so rejected, wronged, harmed, heartbroken and betrayed. But, then there is the upside down world of God’s Word which usually tells us to do the opposite of what seems right for us at the time. Colossians 3:13-14 “Bear with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” That scripture doesn’t say anything about the one apologizing and ASKING for forgiveness. It simply says “forgiving each other”. How is it possible when we may have been hurt so deeply?

I've read many incredible stories about people who forgave in the most heart-wrenching situations, especially when forgiving would seem so unnecessary on a human level. Most recently, we all grieved with the families who lost their loved one(s) in the Florida school shooting by a 19-year old man. I can’t imagine the deep sorrow of the parents' and the spouses' and families', but I do know our all-loving God is with them to comfort and strengthen them as they reach out to Him. I was so inspired when I read the story of 11th grade student at the school, Daniela Menescal, who survived the mass shooting. She told a news station “It’s a miracle that I’m alive.” She said she thought it was a drill until the moment bullet fragments slammed into her back and leg. Inside her locked classroom, she said she and other students hid behind a metal cabinet as gunfire sprayed the room. "I saw the blood and then the girl in front of me turned around and I saw her -- she was hit in her face." Two students in her class didn't survive. Despite what happened, Menescal said she still believes in FORGIVENESS. "In the back of his mind (the shooter), God is with him and I know that we all deserve a second chance, and that even for all that he caused, I forgive him," Menescal said.

Another 16-year-old Junior at the school, Shay Makonde, led a time of prayer. He said, “Those who are lost, we shall carry on their lives for them.” Then he went on to say that he cannot hate the shooter — he hopes he changes in prison. Instead, Shay says he wants to focus on the people he still has in his life, and on honoring his lost friends' lives. “Hatred”, he said, “only breeds more hatred and pain. I can’t afford to hate, or lack courage."

On October 2, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts walked into an Amish school in Pennsylvania and shot ten girls, killing five of them. On the same day of the shooting, a grandfather of one of the girls who had died, told other relatives, "We must not think evil of this man." Another member of the community visited the shooter's family that day to comfort them and offer forgiveness. Dozens more attended his funeral and offered to give financial support to his widow. One member of the community later said, "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss, but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts."

The truth about forgiveness is that it is not a natural response and it isn’t for the person we’re forgiving. It’s for us. I heard it quoted: "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." Unwillingness to forgive eats away at our hearts and souls, while forgiveness frees us. No greater forgiver was Jesus, Who, after the lies, beatings, denials and pain, said "Father, FORGIVE them for they know not what they do."

When we have been hurt, we face the same challenge that those who we've hurt faced. Will we respond with compassion, kindness, and FORGIVENESS? And, will forgiving become a way of life for us? "Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." Ephesians 4:32. It sure seems like a tall order, but one that comes with sweet rewards. We can move on with our life, have freedom from the pain of the past, enjoy greater happiness in the present and better health and well-being. Love means saying "You're FORGIVEN!" We may not forget, but we are at least free from the burden of unforgiveness. It’s not that we dismiss the pain, but it does mean we recognize that even our greatest wounds and deepest pain will one day be transformed into beauty by our God who wastes nothing. “And FORGIVE us our trespasses as we FORGIVE those who trespassed against us.” From “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:12.

Forgiveness Brings FREEDOM

Day 238 of Photo Inspirations – Forgiveness Brings FREEDOM
I’ve admitted it before....reality shows are my thing.  I record them to later watch them when I'm running on my treadmill.  I love watching real people, living real life with its ups and downs, seeing them overcome incredible obstacles and become winners.....or losers -- in the case of "The Biggest Loser" show.

One of the shows I like is “Extreme Weight Loss” and last week’s show was so heart wrenching, yet inspiring when the woman’s life made a huge turn-around.  It was about Jackie whose happy and healthy life was shattered when word came to her that the caregiver at the day care had shaken her toddler son causing long-term brain damage.  Between feeling guilty that it was her fault for her boy to have been put in harm’s way and the emotional trial that put the caregiver behind bars, Jackie gained over 100 pounds. And Jackie had such bitterness and unforgiveness for the woman and for her own family’s lack of support during a time when she needed them the most.

Being chosen to be a part of Extreme Weight Loss, helped her to forgive the caregiver in order to shed her physical and emotional weight, as well as to forgive herself.  It was beautiful to see the transformation that forgiveness gave her, along with the physical transformation.   Forgiveness opened the door for a reuniting of her family, the ability to go to the woman who hurt her son and forgive her – which caused that woman to experience freedom of her mistakes, and thereby forgive herself.

How often do we hold things against others, because we were truly a victim.  That hurts, and it’s NOT fair!  However, the truth is -- even if we weren't at fault, our failure to forgive, imprisons us.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we are approving of someone’s actions, or denying a wrongdoing.  It doesn’t mean that we have to trust, or reconcile with that person.  It DOES mean, that we are not going to hold bitterness in our heart, and allow that person or situation, to keep us locked up.

Each of us have been the one hurt.  We’ve also been the one that hurt someone.   With that failure, sometimes the guilt of our wrongdoing can put us in chains.  When we forgive someone of their wrong, that frees them up to start over, and, hopefully learn from the mistake, and not go down that road again.  Forgiveness is such a beautiful, freeing step to wholeness in our lives.

Ephesians 4:32 says "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

I’m thankful that God didn’t hold my failures against me.
Forgiveness brings freedom.  It looks and feels so good to be free!