I was at our Staff Conference when I actually saw her. I had hoped she’d be there because two years earlier I had harmed our relationship with something I said publicly. Although I had apologized via email (we lived countries apart) and she’d forgiven me, my heart still beat a bit quickly as I walked toward her. Would her forgiveness go beyond a black-and-white screen? 

It did! She was so gracious. Not only did she verbally assure me that the situation was over, but she proceeded to trust me with a bit more of her heart. Wow, really? I was humbled and a bit amazed. I didn’t feel worthy of the renewed relationship given to me but I knew God was behind it. It was the kind of thing He sometimes does: use His Body to show more of His love and forgiveness–more of Himself. 

It is a wonder. We read on paper (or a screen) that we are forgiven but do we believe it? Just like our Lord moved over my unfaithfulness because of Christ, my colleague did too. And just like my colleague, God goes beyond forgiveness to trust me with more. He trusts me to house and depend on His Holy Spirit. He trusts me with His word. He trusts me with prayer. He trusts me with the offer of a relationship with Him. He trusts me to spread His love and be His hands and feet on this earth. He even trusts me to demonstrate in human form a bit of the forgiveness He offers others. 

Now I need to pass that forgiveness on!