All posts by Joan Y Edwards

Joan Y. Edwards is author/illustrator of folktale Flip Flap Floodle, a happy little duck who never gives up on his song even in the Mr. Fox's belly. She is author of 4RV Publishing's Joan's Elder Care Guide. It is full of practical hints and resources to promote healing and make caregiving easier. She has published 80 Gospel-Based Crossword Puzzles for Year A, B, and C. She has a Master of Education. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Charlotte Writers Club. She enjoys watching humorous mysteries, like Columbo and Monk. Time at home, beach and mountain with family and friends energizes her..

Forgiveness Is the God in You

 

Thank you, Annalise Art from Pixabay.

“Forgiveness Is the God in You” by Joan Y. Edwards

Every year Christians celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to rejoice. God sent His only Son to earth so that you would have an image of him in your mind. God loves you. He wanted to have an improved relationship with man. He wanted us to be able to get to know him better. He wanted to have a meaningful relationship with us. He wanted to put himself in a form that we could know and understand. That is why He sent Jesus Christ, His only Son to earth to spend time with us. He sent Jesus to clean the slate of our sins for us. Remember that we are forgiven. God forgives you. All you have to do is ask him.

When you are baptized, you clean the slate of wrongs. When you go to confession as a Catholic, you clean the slate of wrongs.  When you forgive others, you clean the slate of wrongs that you hold against someone else.

It’s amazing how healing it is to forgive someone. It takes a burden off your shoulders. Anger and resentment send out negative feelings that turn around like a boomerang and hit you instead.  What goes around, comes around! What you sow, you shall reap!
I believe that many children and adults get mixed up and think that all mistakes are sins. Not all mistakes are sins. Any words, actions, or non-actions that are against the ten commandments would be sins.
Breaking a dish by accident is not a sin. However, if you break a dish on purpose to make someone angry, that would be a sin. It all depends upon your reason for doing it. God is interested in your intention. Why did you do it?

Follow the big commandment, “Love God above all things and love your neighbor as yourself.” If you’re not showing love and respect for God, yourself, or your neighbor, think again before doing it.
If it’s something you wouldn’t want someone to see you doing on television, Facebook, YouTube, or in person, think twice before doing it. Could the police arrest you if you were caught doing this? If God, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit appeared before you while you were doing this, would you stop? Or would you continue because you knew it was what God wanted you to do in this situation?

It’s a lot easier to forgive someone else when you’ve forgiven yourself for your wrongs.  Guilt freezes you. Forgiveness frees you. Forgive yourself for your weaknesses. What makes you weak in one area, tends to lead you to build strengths in another area.

Any time of year is a good time of year to clean the slate from your past. Let go of all the emotional pulls and ploys. Look for the good in yourself and those that you meet. God is all around you. God is within you. God is behind you. God is in front of you.

When you don’t understand where a person is coming from, pray for them.

When you’re tempted to throw pots and pans at someone, pray for them and yourself and cook them something good to eat instead.

When the news you hear unsettles your peace, pray for a solution to the problem. Don’t focus on whether you are right or wrong. Don’t focus on whether the other person is right or wrong. Focus on figuring out a solution. Ask God for a solution.

Prayers help.

When you tried your best to be on time, but you were late for the umpteenth time, love yourself. Focus and see yourself on time the next time. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. It helps in all situations.

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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2011-2019 Joan Y. Edwards
Flip Flap Floodle Will this little duck’s song save him from Mr. Fox?
Joan’s Elder Care Guide A guide to help caregivers and elders find solutions.
80 Gospel-Based Crossword Puzzles for Year B Fun for Children’s Liturgy, Children’s Church, Sunday School, and Home Bible Study