forgiven by LOVE

Molly stepped on my foot this morning and immediately said,
"I'm sorry mommy. I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?"
"Yes honey, I forgive you."

She even told the dog, whom she calls "boy", she was sorry the other day.
"I'm sorry boy. You ok?"
"Mommy, my boy's ok."

Yet, when she hit her friend last week she refused to apologize.
She would rather have discipline than apologize.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday.
It is the day that marks the beginning of lent - a time to focus on repentance.
Now, neither Ash Wednesday nor lent are in the Bible, but they both come from biblical concepts.

Repentance.

Why is it sometimes so easy and yet sometimes so hard?
Really, I know the answer to that and I realize the question I should be asking is,
"Why do I hold on to some sins the way I do?"
I want to hate my sin.

I am so grateful I serve a God who is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
He loves me and wants to help me have a repentant heart over every sin.

Read Psalm 103:1-14

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

I can't remember where I read it, but earlier this week I read someone being grateful that
God records our names in His book of life and not our sins.
What LOVE He has for us!

And look at what else He records...

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in Your book.

Psalm 56:8

What LOVE He has for us!!!

Sorry this post is coming to you a day late.
We are busy trying to get ready for a retreat this weekend, but I have been looking forward to getting here and meeting with you.