Experiencing Forgiveness

“We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates his brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:19-21 (NIV) After I asked my mom and dad for forgiveness for hating them, the wall that had separated us from experiencing a good parent/ child relationship began to fall away. I began to stop in and visit, and it turned into many good visits with my dad. The coffee was always on. We laughed, joked, and enjoyed each other’s company. Most of my dad’s life, he was never able to say, “I love you,” or “I’m proud of you.” But in his later years, he was able to say it more freely. With my dad, if you stopped in and visited, he would enjoy your company, although there might not be much said. And Dad was so softspoken that, even when he talked, it was hard to hear what he was saying. But Dad began filling me in on his life, telling me all his experiences, beginning with his childhood. He gave me a timeline. It was as if he was preparing me to do his eulogy someday. After I dealt with my unforgiveness, I had a wonderful relationship with my dad. We were able to talk freely. He accepted the Lord and walked with Jesus. An unforgiving heart is a burden. Set yourself free . . . even if you talk to a headstone or write a letter releasing your unforgiveness. If you write a letter to a deceased person, you can burn it afterwards. No one has to read it. God wants you to be happy. Let the yoke be removed. — Richard Knott   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org