Forgiveness, Relationships, and Thankfulness

November is one of my favorite months of the year. It reminds me of the importance of being thankful for my friends, for my family, for a home, for those I've been privileged to meet, and the importance of having the Lord in my life. 

For the next few days, we'll be hearing from LoRee Peery, who has graciously accepted our request to share with us how she perceives not just the month of November but those two wonderful concepts that we hear about during this time of year: thankfulness and forgiveness. 

Forgiveness, Relationships, and Thankfulness

By LoRee Peery

When Shirley invited me to blog this week, she suggested I talk about forgiveness and thankfulness. I immediately thought how relationships are tied to that topic. Without a relationship with Jesus Christ, how can we appreciate the impact of forgiveness and being thankful?

One of my problems as a writer is that I find so much to say, it’s difficult to focus and stick to simplicity of topic. My mind was flooded with verses when I opened my Bible for applicable words. When I’m on a search such as this, I get lost in His beautiful promises, assurances, and blessings.

Forgive, relation, thankful.

Wow. I’m humbled anew to realize my inadequacy. Yet, my Lord sees me as righteous. See? I went off subject.

A reader commented after reading Moselle’s Insurance. “One thing I love about your story,” she said, “is the theme of forgiveness.” To celebrate God’s forgiveness and second chances, Moselle and Eric get married over the Thanksgiving holiday. That scene comes out in the second and upcoming Frivolities book, Rainn on My Parade.
The number one thing I’m thankful for, and strive to reveal through my characters, is the undeserved forgiveness I’ve been granted by my Lord.

Over the years I’ve fought depression a time or ten. During those times, I’ve listed things I’m thankful for. It doesn’t take long into the list before I discover God has pulled me out of the dumps. Many of those blessings listed are the people, family, and friends who are part of my life.

He is so good! His grace covers all my shortcomings, as well as those of the people surrounding me. Thank You, Jesus!

I am so thankful to have a new relationship this holiday season. And, oh my, forgiveness plays a big part in this true-life story. November 2, I opened a letter from a cousin I had never known. His birthmother was my father’s sister. God has unfolded this story, this new relationship, at His given time.

Romans 8:1 tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus poured out redemptive love while He hung on the cross – enough to cover the sins of the world. He forgave me much. I should be able to forgive others.

We are meant to work with others, and according to 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, each of us has a spiritual gift to enhance our working together. God is sufficient. He supplies all we need to fulfill His will and His work. He works in us individually, and through our relationships. We can’t push His work. He does it in His own time. Can we work, either alone or with others, effectively if we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts?

I can look at my life, the past and the present, and I know He holds my future; and see His hand in every aspect. He never lets go. And something else about Jesus, He commands us to love one another (John 15:12). Pretty hard to do without forgiveness involved.

The blessing of forgiveness transforms into harmonious, loving, prayerful, thankful relationships. That’s the kind of life that brings glory to God.

In Jesus, I have peace. My belief in forgiveness doesn’t mean I dance around with no cares in the world. I get stressed over what life dishes out with the rest of humanity. But deep down, my faith colors my world with the peace of His love. His love involves others, He colored their world too! Be thankful we’re not in this alone. Whatever we’re mixed-up in, we’re in it with someone else.

Not one of us is perfect, we mess up. I need to remind myself that Jesus died for others in the same way He took my sins to the cross.

Exhibition of life is grace personified. Sometimes it’s hard not to speak “Christianeze” —you know, those little expressions we get so used to saying. None of it is cliché to true believers. We cherish those ways of saying our thankfulness for the forgiveness granted when a sinner repents and a new life in Christ begins.

God’s timing plays into every aspect of our lives. I firmly believe that had I not put forgiveness into active practice in a close relationship, and dwelt on thankfulness rather than a circumstance, I would not be a published author.

I hope you don’t feel “preached to.” I wish you all the ability to ask for, receive, and grant forgiveness; and joy beyond measure as you reflect and fellowship. We are not in this world alone. Our world is filled with relationships. And relationships are a picture of forgiveness and thankfulness. Blessings to you as you celebrate THANKSGIVING with your friends, family, and loved ones.

Reflection Question for you

This is not the place to confess, but if a person in your life came to mind as you were reading, would you please pray about that individual and your situation? We are in the season of being thankful for our blessings, which includes the blessing of relationships, often based on forgiveness.

copyright 2010 LoRee Peery

author of Moselle's Insurance

http://www.loreepeery.com/ 

 

Graphics by Julia Bettencourt

 

 Be Blessed This Thanksgiving from all of us at A Pen for Your Thoughts.

We would love to hear your thoughts this week too.

Congratulations to Melissa Marsh of Lincoln Nebraska. You have just won an ebook from LoRee. I hope you enjoy it as much as we appreciated having you here.