Chin Up Devotional: Day 2
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
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Forgiveness is a vital part of the fabric of faith. Without it, things unravel. Relationships unravel. Souls unravel.
Motherhood unravels if the thread of forgiveness is not diligently sewn into our family fabric.
And the practice of forgiveness hinges on both forgiving and receiving forgiveness. We need both.
By nature I’m a hothead. It seems my fuse is shorter than the average bear. And I’ve flown off the handle, yelled, been scary. I've tossed boomboxes out into the snow that were not mine to throw. Awesome. So many times regret, guilt, and shame have sat in my living room challenging my soul.
What do we do with all of this? How can our soul shed shame and be light and free?
Forgiveness.
This is our saving grace. I have bent down, looked my children in the eye, and asked for forgiveness countless times. I’ve bent down and asked God to forgive me. I’ve bent down and asked myself.
I was listening to a podcast from a mother who came to accept the reality of her son’s autism diagnosis. She admitted there was a season she had wished for a different story and was even wishing for a different child. And then she said, “But I forgive me for that.”
How powerful. Forgiveness looks our shame in the face, sees it for what it is, and removes its power. Grace follows forgiveness and restores our souls.
This is unique to what Jesus taught: “So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” He wants us to practice and receive infinite forgiveness. His forgiveness never runs dry.
Is there something in your motherhood, some action, something you’ve said that replays like a tape in your mind and needs the power of forgiveness?
Is it time to look shame in the face, ask for forgiveness, and then claim the freedom which comes from God, who removes our sin as far as the east is from the west?
If anything has come to mind just now, then take a moment to ask God for forgiveness. Do you need to ask anyone else? A restful soul is a forgiven soul.
Today, we surely will have opportunity to be forgiven.
To ask for forgiveness.
To forgive others under our roof.
So today, be swift to sew forgiveness into your family fabric.
“I’m sorry, do you forgive me?” is the best phrase a child can hear. And adults need it just as much.
Dearest momma, embrace the grace.
Get your chin up and call yourself Forgiven.
Believe your sin is paid for and your debt is cancelled by the King.
Name your children Loved and Forgiven.
Enjoy the freedom of a lighter soul.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
“When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. Then he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ”
Dear God, I am sorry. I have been selfish, rude, have sinned. I need you and your grace and forgiveness. Thank you that remove my sin as far as the east is from the west. Thank you that forgiveness is your trademark and heals the soul. Help me to come to you often, to come to your throne of grace in confidence that forgiveness is waiting for me. You are a good King. Amen.