April 28

Lord, teach my child to resolve misunderstandings according to Your word.  And if any division has already begun, if any relationship is already strained or severed, Lord, I pray that You will drive out the wedge of division and bring healing.  Give him/her a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The best way to teach our children about forgiveness is to model it!  Whewww, CONVICTION!!While a lot of us would like to rip out every scripture pertaining to forgiveness of our enemies; the bottom line is God forgives us, so we must forgive others. 

When someone wrongs our children, we want them held accountable.  OK, I'm just going to speak for myself; I want to deal with them according to my not-so-lovingkindness!  Nevertheless, as we grow and mature in Christ, we ought to resolve misunderstandings according to God's word.  If it means he/she must humble themselves and apologize for the sake of the relationship; it's not important to be right so much as it is important to be righteous.  Our children should be able to "extend the olive branch", because of the branch (cross) that Jesus died upon.  The great thing about forgiveness and reconciliation is that it's more for the forgiver than the one forgiven.  Once we seek resolution for a situation and forgive regarding the matter; we are free to heal. 

Heavenly Father, it's important that we operate in forgiveness.  We know that just as Your forgive us, so we ought also, to forgive others.  Let us show and teach our children early, that the sooner he/she can forgive and move on; the sooner the healing process can begin.  Lord, show my child(ren) that it may also be necessary to end some relationships in lieu of trying to continue them...especially if the relationship is doing more harm than good!  The bible says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  Our prayer is that our children will live peaceably so that goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!