Most mornings while I get ready in the morning, I listen to Max Lucado’s podcast. They are short messages reassuring me of God’s great love and desire to fill my life with His hope, grace, and pure mercy. It’s an honest push in the right direction; closer to Jesus. I can choose to go through my day feeling the hurts, pains, and misunderstandings of family members or upset children, then allow that to dictate what kind of person I am. Or I can choose to accept the love and forgiveness of Jesus and move forward. When I live in the latter, I am more likely to forgive others and even myself. God says I’m worth it and worthy of his love. I can’t ask for a better life. in Grove Kids, we often end our prayers with these words, “Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross to forgive our sins, and preparing a place for us in heaven.” I so love the picture of God preparing a special place for me at his table. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). The whole plan was in His forgiveness. There would be no table without it.

The Power of Forgiveness