When I finished visited “Jan”, a fellow brother in Christ (from South Africa) who are in prison in Bangkok on Tuesday, I stood still for a moment after the siren of “times up” when off. Everybody, visitor and inmate where waving their last good buys and blowing their last good buy kisses through the windows.
As I stood I looked at the visitors. The emotional expressions on their faces tells many stories. Some had smiles, some were disappointed for they still wanted to m...ention something and then there were many who shed a tear as they walked away. The inmates, well they try to stay strong for themselves and their loved ones.
I experienced the act of forgiveness as I stood and watched everyone for a while. Family, friends, wife’s, parents – they all forgave their loved ones inside. It is shown on their emotions. For sure both parties would like for the circumstances to be different, but they accept how things are at the moment.
I was thinking then, if their forgiveness brings them peace and happiness (in a way) – and remember that we are talking about Non-Christians, Non-Believers in the utmost High . . . how sweet is the taste of God the Almighty forgiveness on those who follow Him. How His arms of love and peace surrounds us after He forgives us from our sins. How the expression on our faces of happiness and new life tells the story of God’s forgiveness, the testimonies.
I admit that giving and receiving forgiveness is not easy. Our pride tends to take control of our lives. But then I think about “Jan”. His father is 84 years old; his mother is 78 years old. Theoretically speaking they won’t live for another two decades on. There is no chance for them to see their son alive before he will be set free again. “Jan’s” parents had to put their forgiveness on paper to him. They had to find peace in their hearts with the situation. No hugs, no looking each other in the eye, no smile afterwards. They could only have done this through the strength that God gave them, the peace that God gives them, the love that God gives them and more importantly – the forgiveness God gave “Jan.”
To forgive, and to be forgiven brings peace and strengthen the relationships. Don’t hesitate about it. Don’t make it hard for yourself. DON'T BE A PRISONER OF UNFORGIVNESS - FORGIVE NOW!!
I was thinking then, if their forgiveness brings them peace and happiness (in a way) – and remember that we are talking about Non-Christians, Non-Believers in the utmost High . . . how sweet is the taste of God the Almighty forgiveness on those who follow Him. How His arms of love and peace surrounds us after He forgives us from our sins. How the expression on our faces of happiness and new life tells the story of God’s forgiveness, the testimonies.
I admit that giving and receiving forgiveness is not easy. Our pride tends to take control of our lives. But then I think about “Jan”. His father is 84 years old; his mother is 78 years old. Theoretically speaking they won’t live for another two decades on. There is no chance for them to see their son alive before he will be set free again. “Jan’s” parents had to put their forgiveness on paper to him. They had to find peace in their hearts with the situation. No hugs, no looking each other in the eye, no smile afterwards. They could only have done this through the strength that God gave them, the peace that God gives them, the love that God gives them and more importantly – the forgiveness God gave “Jan.”
To forgive, and to be forgiven brings peace and strengthen the relationships. Don’t hesitate about it. Don’t make it hard for yourself. DON'T BE A PRISONER OF UNFORGIVNESS - FORGIVE NOW!!
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