Luke 17:4
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him."
My son, Ethan, and I had quite a falling out a few years back. He just kept messing up and ignoring the house rules. Things got really bad and I finally had to make the decision to kick my adult son out of the house. It was not an easy choice to make but I truly believe I made it in love. You know, the "Tough Love" kind. But what followed that terribly hard decision was bitterness on my part. That's what unforgiveness breeds, bitterness! I know of family relationships that have been broken for decades because of unforgiveness. Fathers refusing to speak to sons, brothers and sisters who refuse to attend a family function if the other one is going to be there. Fortunately I was able to see the light and forgive my son, and he was able to forgive me. It wasn't easy but we are both better because of that forgiveness.
Maybe you are thinking you don't have a big batch of forgiveness that needs to be addressed. I would encourage you to take a look at the little things in your life right now. Maybe your spouse has that one little habit of always leaving the toothpaste cap off. Or your child is struggling with getting his dirty clothes all the way to the hamper. Whatever is going on today, be it little or big, consider this. Jesus is asking us to forgive not just seven times, but EVERY time! After all, that's what He does for us.
