One of Those People

"But God is faithful and fair. If we admit that we have sinned, he will forgive us our sins. He will forgive every wrong thing we have done. He will make us pure."
1 John 1:9


"Forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us."
Matthew 6:12

     When we offer our remorse, we do so with tender hope from trembling, pained spirits. If the receiver turns away coldly our suffering increases (but we knew that, didn't we?).  If the receiver fails to acknowledge our offer or accepts it matter-of-factly, we're conflicted: we don't know whether our offer was genuinely received or whether it's being saved to shame or guilt us at a later date. 
     Praise God for those who listen with both ears and open hearts to receive fully and gently our sincere apologies. Thank You, Lord, for those who offer solid forgiveness, putting the past behind them and us.  These are the godly who leave no room to revisit the issue.  These are the children of God who've matured beyond needing to pocket a bit resentment for future recrimination.  These are the Christlike Who walk in His steps, forgiving fully, freely, purely and for always. 

I want to be one of those people.

Lord, thank You for people who've learned to be good forgivers.  Teach us to be gifted forgivers (although we hate the practice needed for this skill), as we begin with the thing we've held in our angry fists the longest.  Thank You for Your example of forgiving with hope and love. Thank You for the richness, the fullness, the foreverness of Your forgiveness.
In the Name of Jesus Who died to forgive us