“Four students stand outside the Principal’s office at the end of lunchtime. They know that they’re in trouble because what happened in the playground was their fault! Their arguing and name- calling to each other has only made things worse. Now, each one stands ready to defend their own actions and blame everything on at least one other student!
The Principal invites them into her office and the students all begin talking at once, eager to defend their own actions. The Principal calls for silence and calmly invites each student to give a full explanation of his or her actions. She gives each one time to say everything they want to say, without interruption.
Time passes, the students calm down and the Principal explains how she sees the situation. Each student needs to ask forgiveness for his or her part in the problem.
“Sorry,” one student blurts out, not looking at anyone.
“There are two steps to forgiveness,” the Principal explains. “Are you truly sorry for your actions or are you simply sorry for getting caught? If you are truly sorry and want to change your behaviour, you will be willing to say, ‘I’m sorry. Will you please forgive me?”
Most of us know the words to the Lord’s Prayer, spoken by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-14. This prayer covers many aspects about how we can talk to Him and what we can say. Verse 12 says, “Forgive us for the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.”
True peace, freedom and hope comes when we realise that each of us makes mistakes and needs forgiveness. When we ask God to forgive us for our mistakes ( sins) in Jesus’ Name, then it becomes possible for us to forgive others.”
