Forgiveness, A Little Deeper

If we do not forgive, then nothing will work.  It is imperative that we forgive.  

This is a little story, based on various experiences, and I pray it is understandable.  

There once was a girl, Ruby, who moved to a new town, got her feelings hurt, and cried.  She was hurt because people acted a certain way around her, a way she was not used to, and she took offence.  She thought they were making fun of her, reasoning why they acted so strangely.  Taking offence hurt Ruby's heart, and she could not let it go.  

She knew she needed to forgive.  Yet, she thought that she did forgive.  But then, if she forgave, why did she hurt?  She could not understand this concept.  

Later on, there came a time when Ruby made a friend, and on her friend's birthday, gave a gift to her.  Her new friend was delighted, which made Ruby delighted also.  

Ruby was happy to have a new friend, and confided in her of being hurt and struggling to forgive.  Her new friend asked, if Ruby would now cry, for giving the birthday gift?  

Ruby said no!  And she wondered why would someone even ask a question like that?  

Her new friend answered, because you gave a gift.  Why are you not going to cry, are you not sad?  

Ruby said, no!  She was not sad, and she could not understand the reasoning, the questioning.  

And so her new friend explained to her:  When you forgive, or when you give a person a gift, you are not sad anymore, you are happy, because you gave.  And you are happy that the person accepted that gift!  To forgive, means to give, as if you gave before they took it.  Forgive: to give before.  

And so, Ruby started to realize that maybe she had not forgiven.  She began to understand a deeper meaning of forgiveness.  

"If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have they cloke also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:..." 
Matthew 5:40-45

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