Yesterday as I was driving to the school district I was asking Jesus how He “blessed” those who hated him (were His enemies)? I was asking this in response to what I’d written in yesterday’s blog? Immediately I was reminded of what Jesus said on the Cross–“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34. These words of Jesus were stated when He was about to die having been crucified. My word–What a beautiful blessing He gave to those who were responsible for this torturous death.

I truly can say that my dad did not know he was causing such harm from his anger: physical beatings and scarring words. My mom knew to pray and that is what she did do. She had no idea how much I needed a moment of her tenderness. My brother was gratifying himself and had no idea he was creating within me such confusion about my identity and value. Today, I can truly say, “God, forgive them for they didn’t know what they were doing.”

As I write this I have such a sense of gratitude for God’s continuous, steadfast love which brings us fully to Him one step at a time. I believe that forgiving someone is our biggest example of blessing them. Today, I forgive. Even though I’ve said this in the past, today I say it with a depth of meaning I’ve never known until now.