I heard Sheila Walsh from Women of Faith tell a story at a conference. Her son was very young and he was mad at someone in his preschool class. Sheila was trying to get him to forgive the child and teach her son a Biblical lesson at the same time. He did not want to forgive the boy for being mean to him.
So she went to the kitchen and took out a 5 pound bag of flour. She gave it to him and told him they were going on a walk around the block. He moaned and groaned about carrying the flour. “Why do I have to carry this bag of flour,” he asked. Sheila’s response was something like “I just want to see how long you can carry it.”
They continued walking a few more minutes and he continued to complain, “this is heavy. Can I put this down yet?” Sheila continued to have him carry the flour for a few minutes and upon his next request to put the bag down, she said “ok”. He immediately said, “WHEW! That feels so much better. That was heavy, Mom!”
Sheila said, “that’s how forgiveness feels.” She continued to explain that when we hold anger and unforgiveness in our hearts, it is like carrying that heavy bag of flour around. We are tired and it is a constant reminder of something that is heavy in our lives.
But when we forgive and allow the burden to be lifted from our lives, it is like putting down the 5 pound bag of flour and skipping the rest of the way home.
Who do you need to forgive today? Is it weighing heavy on your mind and your heart and causing you to be exhausted all the time and angry? Forgive right now. God can help you forgive. Colossians 3:13 says “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgive today. The weight that will be lifted will feel so good. You will be free!! You will be happier!! I promise…………….Flour is much better when used to make cookies! Yummy…….CHOCOLATE CHIP cookies!!
