We are instructed in the Bible "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart". Are we following these instructions? Have we invited people to feast at the table in our heart by extending forgiveness and understanding?

All of us are guilty of telling someone; I forgive you, yet in our heart we continue to harbor resentment, unforgiveness, and bitterness. I have found out by personal, heartbreaking experience that you do not hurt anyone else by that attitude. You only hurt yourself and Jesus.

We need to realize that we hurt people also. We want their forgiveness and understanding, yet we are not willing to offer them the same forgiveness. What is wrong with our thinking? Clearly, it is not controlled by the Love of Jesus! How many times have we gone to God and asked Him to forgive us? How dare you and I ask Him to forgive us when we are not willing to forgive others?

We all need to realize that it is a privilege and honor to even say the Name of Jesus, much less ask Him for something.?  Is the table of your heart spread with kindness, honesty, understanding and forgiveness? If not, you have pounded another nail into the Hand and Heart of Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
October 13, 1999