04.02
Like most of you, I grew up in a fairly ‘typical’ family. I remember times of love and laughter, but also of fighting and arguing. When I was young and heard my parents argue, I feared divorce. And as the oldest of two children, I found great delight in picking on my younger brother. I knew how to push his buttons. Still do. 
But as I think about my friends’ families, one word separates my family from many of theirs… forgiveness. Forgiveness permeated our family. We all made plenty of mistakes – at times we were rude and mean – but we knew how to forgive. And once we forgave, the topic never came up again. It was an unspoken family rule.
Forgiveness is what I cherish about the cross, too. Except that forgiveness from Jesus is different than forgiveness from my brother. It’s because of the Jesus’ death on the cross that God receives me just like I am. But because I grew up in a home that oozed forgiveness, I didn’t always appreciate God’s mercy like I should. As I age though, that’s changing. The older I get, the more aware I become of my sin. It’s like peeling back an onion. As a young adult, I thought that I’d find near-perfection in the middle of the onion. What I’m realizing is that the middle of the onion contains rot – issues that self-discipline alone just can’t wipe away. Issues like pride, self-sufficiency, fear, impatience, etc… And yet God receives me just like I am because of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Yes, forgiveness made our family unique. It gave my life so much joy as a child. But God’s forgiveness offers me so much more. It gives my life meaning, love, and peace forever. What more can a man ask for?
Ken, I thought you told everyone that our family never had arguments. LOL Sure hope not, they would know you were not telling the truth! and yes, you sure did and still do know how to “push your brother’s buttons”. What a joy it has been to see God develop both of you into wonderful Christian men!
Forgiveness seems to be a very hard thing for a lot of people. I also believe it is like many other things learned from our parents…..easier if learned at an early age. We talk about forgiving one another and it doesn’t compare to God’s forgiveness for us! So many times, we also try to change people that we love instead of following God’s example that he “receives me just like I am because of Jesus’ death on the cross”.
I have always considered Easter celebration to be the greatest and most humbling assurance of his love for us!!!
I never had a father after 11 yrs of age, or for that matter before that. My father was an alchoholic who beat us and our mother. He died when I was 11 yrs old. My mother said that God took him away before he killed one of us. I never knew what it was like to have a REAL father until I met God. He has taught me to be a better father, man. person. Without God in my life, and my church family, I may have ended up like him. Praise be to God. I love you Jesus!!!