Hot was the only way to describe the weather we had been experiencing over the past few weeks that summer.  The only other words what might better describe our southern summer was oppressive, humid and dry.  Then in the middle of the night something unexpected happened; a long gentle rain made his presence known.  How refreshing it was to sit under a large porch and listen to a slow soaking rain fall upon the parched ground.

          I can still remember the way the cool breeze felt as I rocked on the porch swing.  I can still hear the rhythm of the rain gently tapping out its melody and the aroma of natures shower seems to still linger in my mind.   This unexpected rain was truly a gift from heaven as I sat and enjoyed it this day.   Yesterday, this plant was covered in dust, dry and thirsty; today it is enjoying heavens day spa. 

          As we near the Christmas season, it seems like everywhere you turn people are thinking about gifts and gift giving.  The department stores and malls are crowded; we are all asking ourselves what we are going to get Uncle Fester or Brother Gomez.  And as Christmas day approaches, we will spend many hours choosing the perfect gift for Cousin It.

          Think back to the original Christmas, do you think God had any problem choosing a gift to send you and me.  No; I believe the one who knows me and loves me more than anything did not have to speculate about what I needed, because He knew exactly what to give me; Forgiveness.   Each element of the Christmas story is a part of his great gift to me.  Christmas is about forgiveness.

          As we think about gift giving, we too ought to think about forgiveness.  This ought to be a natural time to evaluate our lives and our relationships to check for grudges, resentments, bitterness and animosity.  Why do we choose to hang on to such hurtful and petty things as these?  Do we not realize that a grudge is more oppressive than months without rain?  Nothing makes us more like the original gift giver than when we forgive.

          Today, examine your heart; is there someone you need to give this special gift to?  Perhaps a coworker, you are avoiding?  A friend you never speak to anymore?  If you are harboring a grudge, why not set yourself free today?  Write the letter, make the phone call, or walk across the office; say those six words what make such a big difference; I am sorry, please forgive me.  Ultimately, forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.   What have you got to lose?

Something to think about:

• Let us not let the old year die without burying any old grudges.

• Let us be first to give a friendship sign, to nod first, smile first, speak first, and if such a thing is necessary—forgive first.

• It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

• Life lived without forgiveness becomes a prison.

• If you hug to yourself any resentment against anybody else, you destroy the bridge by which God would come to you.

• There is no torment like the inner torment of an unforgiving spirit. It refuses to be soothed, it refuses to be healed, it refuses to forget.

• The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Thankful to those who have forgiven me
Rickey Moore