So Simple to Let Go?

I feel fortunate to meet some really interesting people in my time. People come in all shapes and sizes and I often hear the saying, “It takes all kinds to make the world go around.” I have met some that will tell stories and embellish for entertainment purposes. I have met others that just down right make up stories. I have met those that will defend what they did wrong to the end of the earth. We humans do some pretty funny things in the name of saving face or in trying to be “somebody”. I guess that is why I feel so comfortable around God. In fact its fair to say that I feel more comfortable in the company of God than I do the average person. I screw something up big or small all I have to do is say that I am sorry. I don’t have to try and explain or embellish. God is not vengeful but rather loves purely and perfectly. “God I messed up doing ___”, and his reply is, “Yep”, so I say with an honest heart in confession what I have done wrong his response is something like, “Okay let’s try and not do this again okay.” Does God judge me? Yes, but when I come to him with an honest heart full of sorrow for my sins and confess them he takes them away. Why, cause thats part of what Jesus did for me on that cross. Being Catholic I am lucky. I get to sit in a confessional and speak to my priest. I have that personal interaction. Being raised Protestant I would just get down on my knees and ask for forgiveness. The first time I went into the confessional it was rather scary. Honestly though it is a very loving experience. I have never had a priest judge me. I lay everything out there simply said and we might talk a bit about the nature of my sins but it is always done out of respect and love. I am given some simple penance and I am relieved. The confessional is never something I fear but look forward to. Through this sacrament I receive a heavy dose of Grace. Often coming out and completing my penance I feel the best I ever can. I feel healthy, whole and truly forgiven. I feel armed even to take on temptation in the future more easily. In the times before Jesus I would have had to sacrifice some of my goods or livestock, but Jesus did come and put himself down as the ultimate sacrifice. Why, cause Jesus loves us, and in perfect love you forgive and do anything for those in need. Now this is not to say that we are all off the hook. Jesus was God coming to earth to teach us first hand and not only that Jesus taught by example. For as he forgives us of all the horrible things we might commit in a lifetime we are to forgive each other no matter what someone else does to us. We are forgiven as we forgive. So just as God doesn’t require any fancy words or for us to jump though hoops of fire to receive forgiveness, we should not put anyone under any stress or pain to receive pain from us. Its easy to forgive. The hard part is our flesh, our ego to let go of the pain someone else causes us, and God is great at helping with that. 

Matthew 6:7-15

7"And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread; 12And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.