Thoughts on a portion of THE LORDS PRAYER;and how I applied it to ME today...

[warthog]

I just found out a few days ago that my oldest sister and her husband are coming back to Michigan to visit in July...for those that arent familiar with the details;this older brother in law of mine taught me to have a terrible temper;and when he was younger,he terrorized me and my whole family(including his wife-MY SISTER) with EXTREME fits of rage directed at us;especially me...2 years ago,he told my sister to get the #$%^ out,and dont come back....my sister then moved to Texas and got a job and a place of her own...In the last year;she has gotten to where she needed hip surgery,couldnt get around well-Her husband moved down there to take care of her-According to my sisters;he has REALLY changed.Today,my other 2 sisters and me and my wife had lunch-My youngest sister handed me a flyer advertising a "FAMILY GET-TOGETHER ON JULY 12TH-COOK/OUT-horseshoes,badminton;banana splits-lots of fun"!!!She then told me my oldest sister and her husband will be staying with her for a week at that time(She knows what I went thru at the hands of my brother-in-law;and that I havent come to grips with it yet.) NOW-Before that when I was at church this morning;I was wrestling with this issue of whether I wanted to see him again or not,and at lunch my sister asked me if I would be there.WELL-at church as part of our regular Sunday Worship service;we recite the prayer that Jesus taught us:"OUR FATHER ;WHO ART IN HEAVEN"...When we got to the part "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US";a thought occured to me:HOW can I expect GOD to forgive me;when I have held this against my brother in law for SO LONG???To be honest;yesterday I wished he would just die;so I wouldnt have to face him again...I believe that THE LORD spoke to me thru the LORDS PRAYER;and told me FORGIVE HIM;AS I FORGIVE YOU....SO:I told my sister,"OF COURSE I WILL BE THERE!!!"Actually,his birthday is the end of July(he will be 80); we are also celebrating my youngest sister's granddaughters' birthday that day,too...my sister gave me a BIG hug,and said"I was SO afraid you were going to say you wont be there"...I then related some of the gospel to my whole family about forgiveness-and that WHILE YOU CANT CHANGE THE PAST;YOU CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE-If I had refused to go because he was there;it would have cast a cloud over an otherwise happy day-AND: I would have been responsible for it.THEN I remembered something and told them "HEY-YOU ALL REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY IS IN AUGUST,RIGHT??"In any event;we WILL be there July 12th!!!

 

[Magyar]

n/t

 

[mohayes1046]

Well thought out. It reminds me of Corrie Tenbooms forgiving her concentration camp guard, If he is still the same, you have acted in a godly manner and are right in the Lord. God Bless and ENJOY the picnic.

 

[Anonymous]

You are doing the right thing, Steve, and I hope and pray the day is beautiful and not too hot nor rainy for your family picnic! It is true that we must forgive to honor God for forgiving us for what we've done to Him! Maybe since he is 80 you might be able to tell him you love him in Jesus' name, as a brother-in-Chrst....but don't worry if you can't....just to forgive him as much as you have is wonderful! I hope he is treating everyone with the respect he should be doing for his relatives and friends! He probably had a very hard and difficult life and was bitter and took it out on everyone who were around him! Hopefully, he has changed and will be nice and polite to all! Have fun and don't overeat with all the good food that's going to be served, especially Banana Splits! Yummmmmmy, Yum Yum!

God Bless!
Betty