No Regrets

 My kids teach me alot about life.  

Recently, I've been learning more about forgiveness.  I read that if I continue to ask for forgiveness from the Lord over and over then I believe that I am doing my part, but that He isn't doing His part.

 Sometimes I think I ask and ask because I want to forget.  

It's kind of like if you got back in the shower after you just got out...why?  You're already clean.  Did you not think the soap did it's job the first time?  

Silly.  I know.

Occasionally, I have to ask one of my kids to forgive me.  We talk about how I didn't choose God's best way and then I ask.  

They reply, without fail, "I forgive you Mom."  

(As I have taught them to do with each other and friends.)

I had to do this with Princess K and almost before I was finished with my confession she reached up and gave me the sweetest 4 year old hug and said, "I love you mommy and I forgive you."  

Even though I've heard them respond accordingly to each other countless times, it still holds meaning when you are on the receiving end of forgiveness.  

Later that day, I was tempted to bring up my infraction again and ask for forgiveness again.

I think it's my human heart wanting to also erase any damage done by my wrongful actions...

I stopped and remembered, I was given forgiveness in love and we've moved forward.  To ask again, could mean that I didn't really believe I was forgiven the first time.  As much as she knows about forgiveness, she turned the other cheek and went on.  

Instead I prayed that any residual evidence of my words would be washed away and not hurt anymore.  How quickly do I forgive?  How long do I hold something against others?  

One of my favorite songs reminds me "He loves us, oh, He loves us...I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way...He loves us."  Thank you Lord for loving me and reminding me not to continue to ask...you have already forgiven me.  I don't have to live in regret.

No matter how many times Baby K hits at Princess K or breaks Little K's lego creation, they forgive him.

And want to be near him.

No matter how many infractions in one single day all three of them do to each other, they forgive and want to be near each other.  Those moment that I see Princess K gently guiding Baby K up the stairs to the slide, or when Baby K runs to sit by Little K when he's waiting his turn during the game...they want to be near each other.  

They forgive and want to be near each other.

This sounds familiar.

God forgives and wants me to draw near to him.  I don't have time to maintain regrets, just to think about how He loves.

Endless.

Completely.

Sacrificially.

He loves.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5)