Christian Living
Forgive Us Our Trespasses
©
by
Stephen A. Peterson
It has been a terrible week for Jocelyn, age 13. She couldn’t leave her younger brother in peace, and her parents kept scolding her for her teasing. Then she completely forgot to complete her health science assignment. Even before that, Jocelyn had been doing poorly in that class for reason unknown to her and her parents. Just the year before Jocelyn was a straight “A” student. As she sat in math class, she felt downright mean. She knew she had a very bad temper. She could feel her ability to control herself slipping away.
The teacher mentioned that the Principal would be substituting for her class for the coming week. Jocelyn then told a joke about the Principal to Miriam, who laughed out loud.
“Jocelyn and Miriam we don’t need that sort of behavior in this class,” said Ms. Carpenter.
“Ms. Carpenter, don’t blame me. It’s Jocelyn’s fault!”
“In truth neither of you are behaving appropriately. What will the Principal think?” said Ms. Carpenter.
“Jocelyn, I think you need to go to the Principal’s office,” Ms. Carpenter said wearily. “Your behavior is unacceptable. Embarrassed by her outburst, Jocelyn glad to get out of class early but having to go to the Principal’s office presented a problem. Led by a member of the school’s security team, Jocelyn was escorted to the Principal’s office.
Jocelyn could feel her blood settling in her feet. There was no hiding what she had done. Everyone in class heard what she said. Now she was in the Principal’s office waiting to be seen. 30 minutes passed. No one in the secretary’s office said a thing to her nor did they even look at her.
“Come in, Ms. Jackson. Please sit down. I understand you don’t think much of me.”
Too nervous to sit, Jocelyn said, “Mr. Green, it was a mistake. I don’t know what makes me so angry at times. I ‘m really sorry for calling you such a bad, ugly word. Mr. Green I’ve been so angry since my grandma died four months ago. I miss her so much. Why did she have to die? Why does anybody have to die?” said a now sobbing teenage girl.
“Ms. Jackson, I don’t know exactly why God uses death to take us to heaven. A loved one’s death saddens us but I’m reminded by Jesus who said that if a person believes in Him they will never die but be with Him in happiness and joy forever in heaven. I am really sorry about your grandmother. She must have been a really tremendous person. I really believe your grandmother is happy being with Jesus. I’ll bet she’s sad right now because her granddaughter is hurting. I think she wants to be happy and rejoice that she has won her race and has her crown of glory.” Seeing Jocelyn’s puzzled look, Mr. Green went on: “Ms. Jackson, you appear to be sorry about the whole thing. I understand that you are grieving over the death of your grandmother. God says that’s good enough. As far as He and I are concerned, if you’re truly sorry, then it’s as if it never happened. You are forgiven through the mercy and unconditional love of God. Because if it is good enough for, Jesus Christ, it’s good enough for me.”
“But Mr. Green, I really said some pretty bad stuff about you. That’s all there is to it? Jocelyn asked. “For something as bad as what I did?”
“Ms. Jackson, Jesus forgave the people who falsely accused Him then murdered Him. So I would hope I can forgive a slip of the tongue of a grieving teenage girl. Don’t you think, Ms, Jackson?” smiled Mr. Green.
Prayer: Almighty Father, forgive me for my sins. I am really sorry for:
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
Forgive me those things I’ve done that have hurt others by the use of my tongue:
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
No matter the sin, help me to trust in Your forgiveness and know it to be true and real. Amen.
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This reminds me so much of some trouble I got into as a teen. (Yes, I sure did!) My stepdad had passed on only a couple of weeks before. Somehow, that got me out of trouble that I deserved to be severely punished for. Fortunately, it was the first and last time I visited Mr. Willis. But then, it was the only time I got caught. Great article... as usual.
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