Lesson From a Child

One morning, my son approached me and expressed his love for me by emphatically stating that he could not live without me for more than twelve hours.

Since he was a very affectionate and expressive child, I had grown used to his frequent expressions of love and admiration toward me.

Although the present display of endearment should have come as no surprise, on this occasion, I found myself questioning the sincerity of his words and actions.

I responded, “You need me so much, yet you do not take my calls?” I was unprepared for his very honest response. What my young lad had to say taught me a very valuable lesson that I feel compelled to share. With a face that reflected deep disappointment and sadness, Nate looked up at me and said, “Mommy, I asked you for forgiveness. How can you remind me of my sins that were committed yesterday?” I was quiet for a while.

His gentle rebuke was unexpected—but necessary.

My thoughts went back to the day before when I had left for work very early, before he was up, and returned late in the evening. Feeling bad about not being able to spend time with him before leaving, I had called him several times while at work.

He had not picked up. Later that day, when I expressed my disappointment about not being able to talk to him before school, I was even more disappointed to find out that he had chosen not to take the calls because he was watching one of his programs and did not wish to be disturbed. He apologized and told me that he had planned to return my calls but had forgotten. How many times do we remember so easily those sins committed against us, particularly by those we love most? Do we hurt ourselves and others by going back to the blunders committed? And do we struggle with forgiving ourselves even after we have approached God for forgiveness? Today, let us remember that God forgives our sins and blots them out.

He has promised to cast our “sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19, KJV).

Should we not extend the same courtesy of forgiveness toward our fellow men?

Shana Cyr-Philbert