FEBRUARY 1

COLOSSIANS 3:13

FREELY FORGIVE...

" These books are so cool,"commented Jessica as she and sister Amanda looked through stuff Grandma had made for them. "Look! Here’s a picture I drew when I was four years old." The girls laughed together as they looked at the picture. "May we draw a new picture for a page in our books?" asked Amanda. "Sure," agreed Grandma. "I want you to use special paper and markers-some that are acid free."

"Acid free? What does that mean?" asked Amanda. "Most paper contains an acid that will slowly ruin pictures," explained Grandma. "Acid free materials won’t do that, and the paper will stay good much longer."

Soon the girls were busy drawing. "I’m done!" announced Jessica after a while. "Me, too," said Amanda. Grandma admired their artwork "Very good work, girls," she said. "I like my picture best," declared Jessica as she inserted the new page into her memory book. "Not me," retorted Amanda. "I think my colors are much prettier." "No way!" exclaimed Jessica. "Mine are! I..."

Grandma frowned."Girls! Girls!"she scolded."Your quarreling reminds me of acid that damages paper and pictures. Quarreling is worse - it damages your friendship with each other as well as with God."Grandma looked sternly at the girls. "Is there something you’d like to say to each other?"

The girls looked at each other. "Sorry, Sis," mumbled Jessica. Amanda hesitated. "I-I’m sorry, too," she said.

" That’s better,"said Grandma." These memory books will last a long time. They’ll remind you of fun times, and they’ll also remind you to not let the acid of quarreling - or any other sin - destroy friendships with other people or with God. Be quick to apologize when you’re wrong-and equally quick to forgive."

"We’ll be friends forever, Grandma," replied Amanda, wrapping an arm around her sister. "Come on, Jess. Let’s go play checkers."

Thought: Aren’t you glad God is willing to forgive you when you confess your sin? Do you forgive other people, too?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that sin is like an acid that destroys friendships with people and fellowship with God. I pray it won’t happen in my life. If I’ve hurt someone, help me to be brave and to apologize - both to that person and to You. And if I’ve been hurt, teach me the lesson to forgive. I know that’s tough, but I also know that’s what You want me to do, so please help me to do so! In Jesus’ name, amen.