"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25).

Why is forgiveness so hard to do? I found out last week in a very hard way that life really is too short not to forgive. I share this painful truth so that it may somehow inspire someone not to do the wrong that I did.

Last week a woman I know was killed instantly in a car crash. When I found out by email -- I just sat completely stunned staring a the screen dumbfounded. I had hoped I had misread the message. So, I read it again and again and again and again. I called a friend to confirm the bad news and she did just that.

I was upset at the loss of having known someone die in such a tragic way, but I was even more upset because of how I left our relationship before she died.

She and I had a falling out several years ago. In a very difficult situation, I had hurt her terribly and she had hurt me. We left it like that until last year. Last spring, I received an email from her asking if somehow, someway we could be reconciled and forgive one another. She had asked me to respond to the email even if I had nothing to say. I did nothing. I just flat out ignored her. She emailed again and again I ignored her. Now she is dead.

I felt so horrible about her death because I did not take her life seriously. I took her for granted that she would be there and when I "felt ready" I would reconcile with her. How petty was my thinking. How selfish was I?

I got down on my knees after reading that email and prayed to God that He forgive me for what I did not do which was to respond to her and be reconciled. I also asked that He pass on a message to her that I am sorry for all that I did.

Life is too short to not forgive and be reconciled with one another. Life is too precious of a gift to hold onto malice and anger. I do not want to ever have to ask God to pass on a message for me again. I want to do it in the here and now.

Life is too short not to forgive. It just takes a moment. So take it while you can.

Father,

Please forgive me for all of my wrongdoings. Please forgive all of my wasted time that was more focused on me and my selfish gain than it was focused on the building of your kingdom. Help me Lord to see situations and people with your spiritual eyes instead of my fleshly eyes. Thank you, God, for being there for me no matter what I do. May I now live this day in Your example. Amen.

Blessed

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Used by author's permission.