Listen

Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.

Colossians 3:13

Think

I once told a pastor that I wanted prayers so I could be more patient. The pastor said I probably needed prayers to learn tolerance. What I really wanted was to have an apology I had recently offered to a friend be accepted. I had apologized, and he had still not responded, and I was worried that I had trashed a good friendship in a fit of temper.

I know that deep in my heart I don’t always apologize sincerely or thoroughly, which makes it more difficult for me to forgive when I am wronged, whether an apology has been offered or not. God forgives us anyway. I have learned that I feel better when I actually do the work of accepting an offered apology for real. And I am also learning to forgive, even when an apology due isn’t offered. Holding a grudge hurts my heart more than letting it go. Who do you need to forgive?

Bronwyn Clark Skov

Pray

Holy One, bless me with tolerance, so that I may learn to forgive deeply and thoroughly. Help me to be sincere in my own apologies, and to accept the grace of forgiveness when it is offered to me. Thank you for always giving me another chance to get it right. Amen.

Go

Let me be a friend to those who have few friends,

Let me find a friend when I feel lonely,

Let me walk away from danger to safety,

Help me walk in the light and love of Jesus.