Forgiveness....

This is one of my favorite pictures about forgiveness....and isn't it what we hear today when we read the story of Stephen.  Stephen is being stoned to death and asks God to forgive his killers.  Could you do what Stephen did? 

Everyday we have an opportunity to forgive as Stephen did...maybe not someone who is killing us literally but those little things that can kill our spirit or are slanderous.  They might be the little things that just annoy us....but do we forgive the person for the hurts.....or do we say we forgive...but go on resenting them?  Do we let a past hurt linger in our heart to the point that it becomes hate?  Are we so consumed with self pity and selfishness that we don't even realize that we do not forgive the little things...and they become big things?

I know that to forgive means that we do not hold on to the hurts, the mean words or the effect it has had on lives.....it means....letting it go...giving it to God...and starting anew.  Its tough....sometimes I think it is one of the toughest things we are asked to do....but...we are not being killed literally....so I ask...can we imitate what Stephen and Jesus did while they were dying......Forgive.......

Just a thought....I know it is tough...I wrestle with it too.....but don't we have great examples of how far we can be stretched if we just try.....

Take some time today and forgive someone for a hurt that is causing you to be stagnate in your spiritual growth.....Your live will be changed.....