This post is part of the weekly series, “His Encouragement: Thursday Thoughts to Strengthen Your Soul.”
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
-Psalm 32:1-2, NIV
When I was a young girl, I broke my mother’s glass casserole dish. I still remember the feeling of its smooth surface, slick with water, as it slipped through my hands. For a moment, my heart stopped. Then, there was a loud crash and the dish shattered.
Quickly, I gathered the pieces and hid them in the bottom of the trashcan.
When my mother came home, she asked, “Do you know what happened to my casserole dish?”
I am ashamed to say that I lied. I told her that I had no idea what had happened to it.
Then, my mother looked at me sadly. “I found the pieces in the bottom of the trashcan. I am very disappointed in you for lying.”
Many years later, I stumbled across the same dish at an antique store. The memory of my mother’s disappointed face came rushing back to me and I purchased it immediately. I lovingly wrapped the present and gave it to her as a gift.
When my mother opened it, she was confused. “Thank you,” she said, “but I really don’t need another casserole dish.”
“Don’t you remember?” I asked, “This is the exact same dish I broke when I was young!”
She had to think for a long time. At last, she said with a smile, “Oh, I had forgotten all about that. I forgave you years ago.”
Although she had completely forgotten about the incident, it had taken me years to forgive myself.
Is there a something that you have been carrying on your heart for years? Sometimes, it can be hard to forgive ourselves for the mistakes that we have made in the past, but God is waiting to offer us forgiveness- all we need to do is ask for it.
This post is part of the series, “His Encouragement: Thursday Thoughts to Strengthen Your Soul.”
Thursdays are always a really long day of the week for me. As a pastor, Sunday feels like the natural beginning of my week. By the time I get to Thursday, I am tired and drained. That’s why I’m excited to join with a group of blogging friends in order to offer you a weekly devotional which will be posted every Thursday.
Please be sure to check out the other great bloggers involved in the His Encouragement weekly series!
Rev. Rebecca Writes 
So very true! Sometimes we might be the one holding on to a mistake from our past by refusing to forgive ourselves when the others involved have already given their forgiveness. Thank you for this reminder that we need to forgive and let go… not just for others but for ourselves, too.
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I LOVE this post! Last weekend, I was at my mom’s house helping her with some chores. We decided to take a tea break, so I went inside and grabbed the tea cup I always use when I’m at her house. I use that tea cup because I love it, and it was a gift I gave my mom when I was younger for mother’s day. Well, it slipped through my hands and broke into a million pieces. I was so devastated. My mom was sad, but forgave me instantly. “It’s just a cup. It can be replaced,” she said. I appreciated her forgiveness, but I’ve been struggling over that dumb cup. I’ll get over it, I’m sure. It’s just bugging me right now. But then I read your post and felt the tug I needed in my heart to let it go! Thank you for such a fabulous post.
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Love this post and love the gesture as well. Forgiveness is so hard, both forgiving ourselves and others. But we serve a forgiving God and if he forgives us we can forgive ourselves (note to self). Thank you for this encouragement.
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