A friend told me about the time he was watching football on TV as his
young daughter played nearby. Angered by his team’s bad play, he grabbed the
closest thing and threw it down. His little girl’s favorite toy was shattered,
along with her heart. My friend immediately embraced his daughter and
apologized. He replaced the toy and thought all was well. But he didn’t know
how much his fury had frightened his 4-year-old, and she didn’t know the depth
of her pain. In time, however, forgiveness came.
Years later he sent an identical toy to his daughter when she was
expecting a baby. She posted a photo of the toy on Facebook with the words,
“This gift has a very long story going back to my childhood. It wasn’t a happy
story then, but it has a happy ending now! Redemption is a beautiful thing.
Thanks, Grandpa!”
The Bible urges us to avoid angry outbursts by putting on the new self,
“which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph.
4:24). And if we are the victim of anger, God asks us to “be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave
you” (v.32).
Restored relationships are not easy, but they are possible by the grace
of God.
Repentance and forgiveness are the glue that can repair a broken relationship. (ODB)
