Teach Me To Forgive
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief,
was walking in the woods.
As he thought about his life this day,
he knew many things were not right.
He thought about those who had lied about him
back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who
had stolen his things and cheated him.
He remembered family that had passed on.
His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure.
His very soul was filled with anger,resentment and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find,
knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree
to seek the one he knew would always be there,
and with tears in his eyes, he prayed...
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life.
You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed.
Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot.
I don't know how. It is not fair Lord.
I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me
and I shouldn't have to forgive.
As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do,
for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord,
I fear I may not hear you,
but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do...
Teach me To Forgive.
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree,
he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes.
Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.
He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree
had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground.
He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood
with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes
as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross.
He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side,
a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head.
Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face.
As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing,
and Jesus began to speak.
Have you ever told a lie, he asked? The man answered - yes Lord.
Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?
The man answered yes Lord. And the man sobbed more and more.
Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours, Jesus asked?
And the man answered yes Lord.
Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?
The man, crying now, answered yes Lord.
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"?
The man's crying became uncontrollable,
for he could only answer yes Lord.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other,
and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder.
He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.
When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus,
and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.
~~Author Unknown~~
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace,
how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost,
but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught
my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did
that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
The Lord has promised
good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield
and portion be
As long as life endures.
Through many dangers,
toils, and snares
I have already come;
'Twas grace that brought
me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there
ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days
to sing God's praise,
Than when we'd first begun.
Music & Words by: John Newton,
(1725-1807)
American folk melody fifth verse
by: John Rees (1828-1900)
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~China~
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