Forgiveness...

I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately...in all areas of the word. What it means, how many times we should forgive someone, if we should forgive for big or small things, the list goes on and on. I came across some Scripture this morning in chapel that truly cleared my confusion.

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.'" (Luke 17:1-4)

Seven times! In one day! Well, that's pretty clear!

One of my favorite Christian artists, Matthew West sings a lot about forgiveness. In fact, his songs are based on people's true life experiences. He's written one particular song about a man going to prison for a very significant crime, vehicular manslaughter. That man's life was about to change and he didn't have a clue. The mother of the teenage girl that was killed by this drunk-driver wanted to meet this man and speak with him. She eventually decided that instead of living with the pain and anger, she needed to forgive. So, she forgave this man, helped to shorten his amount of time in prison and helped lead him to Christ.

Forgiveness is really powerful. It doesn't just make people feel better...it changes lives. When Christ died on the cross for us, he didn't just die for those small sins that people didn't mean to do. He died for ALL sins; that ALL people may be forgiven, believe and have eternal life with Him in heaven.

I am so thankful that God made that crystal clear for me this morning. It's really incredible how God works each day to teach us, guide us and help us understand the daily happenings in our lives.

I highly suggest listening to "Forgiveness" by Matthew West and reading more about the inspiring story behind this song, but if you're short on time, here are the lyrics:

"Forgiveness"

It's the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel
when the pain they caused is just too real
it takes everything you have just to say the word...

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
even when the jury and the judge
say you gotta right to hold a grudge
it's the whisper in your ear saying "Set it Free"

Forgiveness, forgiveness
forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It'll clear the bitterness away
it can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it's power can do
so, let it go and be amazed
by what you see through eyes of grace
the prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, forgiveness,
forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
so show me how to see what Your mercy sees
help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness

You Never Know...

Today I realized something extremely important and that was: you never really know what you're going to find. This afternoon I had (an extremely rare) free period because I was unprepared (not like me at all) for my LKG class so I decided not to take it. Little did I know it wasn't me being unprepared, it was God planning it that way so other things could take place.

I ended up sitting down with some 5th grade students who were sitting on the sidelines, watching their friends play games during gym class. These students also happen to be my spoken students as well. I sat down next to a boy who recently had an operation on his right leg. My students had informed me previously that he had an operation because of an accident he was in; that was all of my former knowledge. He obviously was in no condition the join the game, so I decided to take the opportunity to ask him some more about his accident.

What seemed like it would be just a few curious questions ended up being an experience that blew me away. On October 31st, this boy along with his older sister and father were driving to temple on their motorcycle when a bus crashed into them. (Side note: buses in India travel ridiculously fast...pretty sure they would be pulled over in the USA.) This boy broke his right leg above his knee, with the bone coming out as well. He had surgery to fix his leg and has several incisions in various places on his leg.  He will have to have another minor surgery in April to open up the smaller incisions around his knee so that something (not sure exactly what) can be removed. He also had small wounds on his head and above his eye that both required stitches. On his thy (where the bone was broken) is a very large scar that has little to no skin. He missed three months of school for his recovery and only just returned in February.

His sister was also injured severely. If I was understanding correctly, she has some major wounds on her head as well as her right leg. I'm not completely sure of those details due to the language barrier.

His father died in the accident.

3 months ago. He was in a motorcycle accident that killed his father. A motorcycle accident that involved a bus hitting him and his family members head-on, with nothing in-between to break the impact.

I was shattered. I did not even know what words to say. Every part of my heart wanted to hug this boy and cry like a baby, but my mind was telling me 'Be strong!' I ended up telling him how lucky he was to be alive and how happy I was that he is okay. I called his survival a miracle. (Hopefully he understood.)

No way did I ever expect this boy to tell me his father was killed in the same accident that broke his leg so severely it required surgery just three months ago. I'm not quite sure what I expected, but it most definitely was not that.

I truly believe God used me in this moment to show love and concern for this little guy. To reach out and let him know that someone is very grateful he is alive and able to walk. It was a moment that came together too "perfectly" to be just a coincidence. It was most definitely a God-planned experience. I pray that I made a difference for him today...that he remembers those moments we shared and knows he is loved whenever he is missing his appa (father in Tamil) or wondering why he survived and his daddy didn't.

Thank you Jesus for using me in ways I can never expect. I am so thankful I am here to share my love and yours with these children who need it.