I Love You Anyway

There is a story about a couple married for 15 years that began having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a “Fault” box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations.

The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: “leaving the jelly top off the jar,” “wet towels on the shower floor,” “dirty socks not in hamper,” on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, “I love you!”

That is beautiful. Isn’t that just how God treats us?

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting!” And, “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow.”

Jesus adds this: “For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Forgiveness opens the door to healing and sometimes even to reconciliation. Forgiveness also opens us to the reality of God’s grace.

I wonder if there are people in your life whom you need to forgive… Maybe you could start by simply lifting them up in prayer today.

Let us pray: Have mercy on us, Loving God. Help us to let go of any burdens that we carry or any past mistakes or failures that we can’t seem to let go of. May your forgiveness and grace wash over us. And then, Gracious God, help us to forgive with the forgiveness we ourselves have received, that new beginnings may be ours through Jesus Christ. Amen.