Season 3 Episode 6, Gentleness of Forgiveness

26, 3-6 – SHOW NOTES & COPYRIGHTS – Revised 10/11/21Here we are again, 4 poems from Living In God’s Rhyme whose common thread is God & Jesus & one other thing.  I like the randomness of our discussions when I don’t  set it up in the show notes.  I’m sure there is a better word than randomness I could use.  All 4 are from God Still Rhymes (©2017 by Tim Carter)Our first poem is found on pg. 74THE HEALING OF FORGIVENESS“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Eph. 4:30,31What needs to be said about this verse?Though some words may sound terse,They are covered in the bloodJesus shed for those he loved.He has lovedAnd still does.Though we have sinnedHe has sent a mighty windTo lift his people upAs we drink from his cup.We are hurt in so many ways,Slander, malice, anger and rage.We are left alone, left defeated.That’s what we do to those God loves.Sometimes we are they, the other one,To whom the harm and hurt is done.We all keep a running total, we tally the sumOf each and every day they block out the Son.We are told to forgive throughout God’s word,Told enough that we should have heard,If with God we liveWe are called to forgive.If God can forgive, so must we.It is by his forgiving of our sinThat over death we do win.Why is it so hard for us to see?God loves so much that he died.Died in the form of his SonFor the times we lied,For all we have done.A death we deserved, A death we did earn,But now as we turnOur place is reserved.Jesus died once for all,For all who hear his call,The call of God’s holy graceThat one day we may see his face.We are but mere mortal man.How can our sin against anotherBe greater than our sin Against he who created man?We are commanded to forgive,So then we must have the trustTo accept the word we have heardThat for God and his children we live.God loves usAnd if we love him,We will follow his commands.We will love our neighbor And with them we will stand.It is when were are one with GodAnd one with our fellow man,Those who have scorned and hurtThat the healing can begin.God healed us through the death of his Son.His forgiving of our sins has healed our souls.Though God is perfect, was he healed of a broken heart?Does he smile more at each new day’s start?Do We Forget?It is often said, “I can forgive, but I will never forget.”His word says, our sins forgiven, he will remember no more.Forgiveness begins the healing, forgetting is the cure.His ways are not our waysAnd our ways are not his ways.But though we may ask why,We must always and forever try,Try to understandWhat he commands.Reflection on The Healing of ForgivenessThe idea for this poem came to me on the afternoon of Day 29 of posting this books poems on Facebook. Mary Lou and I discussed it at an early dinner at the Atrium Café. After finding the verse I wanted and started walking toward the computer I had this thought; a word smith could spend more than an entire...