Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! As I was having my prayer time, it suddenly grew dark, and I thought for sure, there was rain coming, but after while the cloud moved away. But it is still overcast, which is nice for a change from all the sunshine.
I spent most of yesterday doing little chores around the house, but still have lots to do. I did get to the park, however, and walked out on the bridge, watching the fast moving current flow underneath and then moved to the far end, and spied the little gator hanging among the lily pads. He seems to like to be at the entrance bridge. There was a turtle sitting on the dead log very near the gator, but they were co-existing peacefully. Then I walked to the butterfly garden and lots of colorful ones were flitting about enjoying the flowers. Such a peaceful place. God is good!
From the devotion book Quiet Moments with God:
"If you forgive men when they sin against you, Your heavenly father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14
Unforgiveness is a destructive and insidious force, having more effect of the one who is unforgiving than on the unforgiven. A great example of this was an experience of one of the outstanding intellects of all history, Leonardo da Vinci.
Just before he commenced work on his depiction of the Last Supper, he had a violent quarrel with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so enraged and bitter, he determined to use the face of his enemy as the face of Judas, thus taking his revenge by handing the man down to succeeding generations in infamy and scorn.
The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first that he finished, and everyone readily recognized it as the face of the painter with whom he had quarreled.
However, when he attempted to paint the face of Jesus Christ, Leonardo could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him--holding him back and frustrating his efforts. At length, he came to the conclusion that what was hindering and frustrating him was that he had painted his enemy into the face of Judas.
When he painted over the face of his enemy in the portrait of Judas, he commenced anew on the face of Jesus. This depiction became a success that has been acclaimed through the ages.
You cannot be painting the features of Jesus Christ into your own life and at the same time be painting another face with the colors of enmity and hatred.
If you are harboring unforgiveness and bitterness, forgive your offender, and put the situation in God's hands. Ask Him to cleanse you of those negative feelings and to release you from their bondage. As you forgive, you will be forgiven and set free to live your life with inner peace.
Forgiveness is man's deepest need and highest achievement.
Horace Bushnell
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs
Amaryllis
