You have probably noticed that relationships can be messy. They can bring tremendous joy, and tremendous pain. All of us have experienced a messy relationship of some kind. Perhaps it started in grade school, being bullied. Or maybe you were made fun of for some physical trait, or speech disorder, or disability. Perhaps you were betrayed by a friend, or had a messy breakup or divorce. The list of relationship messes can go on and on. Relationships can be hard. Being hurt can make us build walls. The messes leave us with baggage that will affect future relationships. If we want them to be better in the future, we have to deal with the past. If we keep carrying it around with us, our future relationships will suffer. So what do we do with the past? We can learn from it, and then leave it there. Start with a clean slate. Just like each new year in a classroom, you get a fresh start. Make good choices, keep your heart full of love, and offer acceptance and love to those around you. Our ability and choice to forgive others, directly affects our relationship with God. He forgave, so we do the same. If we don’t forgive, as it says in Mark 11, God wont forgive us. Sounds like we know what to do. Be a forgiver!
Forgiveness and acceptance are like soap for the soul, they help us wash out the past, and live clean in the future.