Before I start the year with my new word, as I am praying about it
I should finish the basket of word series.
There are two words left.
I think I will merge them together as they follow each other in the same emotional process.
The first one is…
How many times have we needed to and had to give forgiveness to one another.
If you are married it is pretty often.
If you are a parent, the right thing to do is forgive
when your children mess up and wish for ‘grace’
you are the example of a living ‘seeing’ visual Jesus to them.
When we mess up Jesus always forgives us
even if our heart isn’t right.
If you are a friend what better way to seal a good friendship
than to ‘forgive’ if we have hurt one another.
It is in the ‘knowing we hurt someone’ and then asking
for their forgiveness that makes a relationship real.
The hard task is coming to a truth within ourselves.
When Jesus was on the cross.
Remember what he said while he was in deep agony,
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Even when he was a tiny baby the people didn’t really understand
the purpose of why he came. It wasn’t just about Christmas.
It was the cross. The whole point was leading to the Cross.
Just as those who were with him in life didn’t fully understand him.
In his dying they didn’t really either.
They had no idea they were killing God’s son.
Just as God had Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph,
the angel Gabriel, Simeon and Anna, the shepherds and wise men
all play a part in the life of Jesus birth.
He also would bring the disciples and other players to be a part of his death. It had to be that way.
It was about love and forgiveness and hope.
They didn’t know, because they couldn’t fully know,
they were killing, God’s only son.
Pilate had no clue he was playing a part or a role that was pre-ordained for him to play.
But God did.
Jesus understood while on the cross, they didn’t understand it all.
Many times we do things we do not understand.
That is why His forgiveness is so powerful.
The second word is… 
When our lives are full of truth telling and calm we can be assured that our hearts are in peace.
When reading the Bible it shows this word 455 times.
It must be a very important thing for us to have according to God.
Psalm 37:37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.
In Mark 4:39 Jesus calmed the water by saying “Peace be still.”
In John 14:27 Jesus said, “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.
Do you get the point yet?
We are to create in ourselves a calm, forgiving, peaceful heart condition.
When I began to heal from my ‘child hood’ issues God told me
in a very gentle way I had to forgive those who hurt me.
I wrote it down… all of it, as much as I could remember.
Then I let it go and I didn’t allow them to hurt me in that way again.
Hurt people, hurt people.
Sometimes God allows us to be hurt, so we can be tested and grow stronger through the process.
Sometimes it is for their growth if they choose to pay attention to the lesson.
This last year we have discovered the basket of words and the potential
of each word as it could affect our lives.
There is power within a word.
They can be both healing and useful or hurtful and wounding.
The choice becomes ours. How to give and how to receive.
As I have written each of these blog posts I have prayed it was a blessing to you.
Leaving this ‘basket of words’… and moving towards a new year.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16