You would think that I am asking for the sun, moon and stars when I ask that my siblings try to get along with each other. But there is this thing called forgiveness that is the obstacle. For many years, I have been the only sibling talking to everyone. As a second child of five, that is a somewhat precarious position for me at times and often stressful. I have talked to each sibling, explaining to them that the cost of forgiveness is not to the person that they aren’t forgiving but to themselves, but my pleas are to no avail. The offenses seem petty but I am sure that they are not to the one offended. Nevertheless, I still keep trying to get everyone together. I keep telling them that it’s going to be really sad for the first time for them to see and talk to each other in decades may be at my funeral and I won’t be there to see it.

People in today’s world don’t understand that holding a grudge, no matter how small, affects you physically, mentally and emotionally. God knew that and used Paul to instruct us to forgive. After all, God forgave us so who are we to hold a grudge against anyone? Give people grace…that’s what God gives us. Allow them to make mistakes and then forgive and move on. The burden of not forgiving is heavy and the price may never be known. So, go to bed each night with forgiveness on your lips and in your heart. Let God carry the burden to carrying out justice if it is needed. That’s not my monkey or my circus, so I personally refuse to demand that God let me do His job. What a presumptuous thing that would be!