It is a sweet thing when the heart, that once was heavy, begins to sing again. You have tasted an answer to the prayers that rose up for you, and the Lord has given you to know it in your very bones. Gratitude is the best music that ever rises to heaven; and when you pour out your thanks, you are like a vessel brimming over with the goodness of the Lord. So do not let the enemy whisper that this is a small thing. It is the finger of God.
Now you tell me that you want to forgive and be forgiven. Ah, that is Christ’s own work in you. Do you remember the man who was let down through the roof, palsied and helpless, but with a faith that would not let him rest until he was at the feet of Jesus? The first word that fell upon his ear was not “Rise and walk,” but something deeper still, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” That is our Master’s way. He goes to the root of the matter. Before He puts strength into the limbs, He puts mercy into the soul. And you, beloved, are come to that same place. You have been let down by the hands of praying friends into the presence of the Lord, and He speaks forgiveness to you, freely and fully. The guilt that clung to you like a damp shroud is lifted; the black cloud that hung overhead has a word written across it in lightning, “But there is forgiveness.” For Christ’s sake, because He bore your sin in His own body on the tree, the just for the unjust, God can smile upon you without a frown in His eye. You need not be afraid.
And because you are forgiven, you find it in your heart to forgive. That is the sure mark. A soul that has bathed in the mercy of God cannot go on nursing grudges, any more than a man who has just washed in pure water would roll again in the mire. If old wounds rankle, or if some new unkindness should come, remember that your own ten thousand talents are all cancelled. Go and do likewise with the hundred pence that others may owe you. It will be like sunshine in your own spirit.
You are troubled about one person who might bring fresh trouble into your life, and about your children and your sister. Let me remind you: the sun is still shining above the thickest clouds. Your Savior is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His sympathy has not grown cold. He knows what it is to have those He loved misunderstand Him, and yet He loved them to the end. If your children are slow to show the tenderness you long for, keep loving them as the Lord loves you, with a patience that does not tire. As for your sister, you desire what is right and fair; you may leave that desire with the Righteous Judge. He is the defender of the widow and the orphan, and He keeps the cause of the oppressed. You need not fight your own battles. The Lord will bring it to pass in His own time, and you shall see that it was better to wait for Him than to fret.
One thing more: do not be surprised if, in this season of thankfulness, you still feel weak and tremble at the thought of future sorrows. The Lord does not give us strength for tomorrow’s battle today; He gives us His own hand to hold in the darkness, and that is enough. The Tree of Life grows on both sides of the river in the New Jerusalem, its leaves for healing, its fruit for sweetness. So it is for you now, the Lord Christ is near, full of healing and restoring. His mercy is not used up. Come and take what you need.
Now may the Lord Jesus Himself, who has begun this good work in you, carry it on until the day of His appearing. May He grant you to walk in the light of His countenance, to drink deep of His forgiving love, and to find every care lightened at His feet. May He guard your path from the snares you fear, soften the hearts of your children toward you, and lay upon your sister’s conscience the grace to do what is honest and good. And may you go on your way with a song in your heart, knowing that He who spared not His own Son for you will with Him freely give you all things. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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