After Forgiveness, Then What?

Blessings of peaceful relations! Prayer requests?

Black Angus cattle that call the ranch home make excellent ‘mamas’ to their wee and wobbly young. They’ll circle their calves for protection, hide them in tall grasses and brush, patiently allow them to nurse, and when they lose sight bellow until a tiny ‘moo’ responds. It especially breaks my heart when loud and constant ‘cow calls’ fill the air following calf shipment to market. After a few days the mamas seem to resign themselves to the fact their babies are gone.

While I may be putting too much of a human touch on our grass-loving bovine buddies, close-knit relationships can cause pain. Whether the source is thoughtless mistakes, harsh words, deliberate betrayal, broken promises, or gradual withdrawal, we often suffer because people are simply fallible humans after all.

We may want to nurture bruised feelings, feed outrage, nourish ill-will, but God has a better way.

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

We may drown in sorrow, smother in disappointment, choke on heartbreak, but God calls us to higher conduct.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

One day soon it may be you and I who need godly love, tender compassion, and gentle kindness.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” Matthew 7:12

Seeking God’s Precious Perspective on Rumpled Relations, PJ

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