Forgiveness is Hard

As a parent, I teach my son to be quick to say, "I'm sorry." Those words do so much to repair a friendship. With children, the discretion is swiftly forgotten. The playmates move on as if nothing ever happened.

And today I realize how slow I am to say those two words. I could easily just say them and be done with it. I could just let them roll off of my tongue without thought. But is that right? Is it right to say the words and not mean them in your heart?

I am drawn to the scripture Mark 11:25 (NIV) "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Forgiveness is hard and yes, humbling even.

And yet God forgives us each day of our sins, of our blatant transgressions. He gives it to us freely. We simply have to ask Him and mean it in our hearts.  

Forgiveness is hard. But without it, so becomes your heart.