Forgiveness Gave Me a Father

Yesterday, I shared with you about an interview I heard with George Forman. Today, I want to share just a little more. At the end of the interview, he was asked about his father. He never knew his father growing up. He wasn’t around. In fact, he didn’t meet the man until after he had grown up and made it as the Heavy Weight Boxing Champ of the World. He said about growing up, “My father never helped me. He never gave me anything. I could have said, ‘I don’t have a father.’ (But) Today I can tell my children, ‘Hey, your grandfather fought in World War II.” Why? Because forgiveness gave me a father. And forgiveness will give my children a grandfather…”

He had one last quote that I loved. He said, “Forgiveness is that subtle thread that binds love and friendship.”

In your own life, I hope that you will not cling to old grudges or bitterness or resentment. Don’t let the idea of revenge eat away at your soul. Remember that when we forgive – we are setting ourselves free.

Let us pray: God of Hope, so often we pray, ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” But it is not easy, Lord. We thank you for the forgiveness, mercy, and grace that you have shown us. Help us to share these gifts with others, and by doing so may we find healing and freedom and a second chance. Amen.