You're right!! (Jesus and Forgiveness)

I'm a firm believer that conviction is a great compass for my personal walk with The Lord. When I say "conviction", I mean how I feel when I sin...and how quickly I feel that way.

A recent example: I had a small dispute with an acquaintance. We were on seperate sides of an issue, but it was very civil...until I pushed the line a little and made a stupid analogy. He hung up the phone.

Now...My ego is a VERY odd thing and I hate it...but...if you hang up on me, you might have well walked into my family renunion and slapped me in front of every one and then skipped out singing "Stupid Girl!". Ugh!! I was angry!!

So I just started driving towards this guys location, saying "Jesus...I'm gonna need a time-out!!"

Then it hit me: Why??

Clearly he was having a tense day...clearly he was reacting to something I said.

I was still angry by the way...But...I turned the car around and went on with my day.

As I stewed a few more hours, I prayed a few times...then it hit me: I recently read something about this in a little book called The Bible from some dude named Jesus!!

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." -Luke 6:37

I immediately picked up the phone and sent him a message saying that I fully apologize for anything I had done to anger him or upset him...and that it was certainly not my intention! I also added that I was proud of him for what he was doing and that I hoped he would accept my apology.

NOW...understand that whether I was right or wrong...I FELT like I was right!! BUT...Jesus says nothing about right or wrong. He said "Forgive and you'll be forgiven!"

The result of my apology was an immediate apology from my friend and much deeper level of understanding between us...after which I sat down and thought:

"Huh! Why am I always amazed when Jesus turns out to be right??"

Is there anyone in your life that has wronged you? Anyone that owes you a HUGE apology? Anyone??

Try calling, texting, or writing them an apology or letting them know that you still love them anyway. I know it's tough!! Trust me!! BUT...you'll be amazed at the results both on the outside and (especially) on the inside!!

Do it today!! Don't wait!!

Thanks for reading!!

Love your neightbor as yourself...Period.