In my novel, The Storekeeper’s Daughter, Abraham Fisher’s friend, Jacob Weaver, reminded Abraham that God’s ways are not our ways. He encouraged Abraham to pray for the person who had kidnapped his young son, Zach. Do you believe that healing can only occur when one forgives?

Do you find it difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you or some member of your family? What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Do you have some favorite scriptures that gave you insight during a time when someone hurt you?

One of my favorite verses that deals with the topic of forgiveness is found in Matthew 6:14 (KJV): Jesus said, “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

During one of our visits to Ohio, my husband and I were invited to an auction for a local Amish school. It was still light outside when we arrived, but by the time we left the auction, night had fallen. Since the Amish have no electrical lights, the yard and driveway were so dark that we couldn’t see where we had parked our car.

“I think we should have brought a flashlight,” I told my husband.
Hanging onto each other for support, we took a few tentative steps down the long driveway. We’d only gone a short ways when a voice from out of the darkness called, “Do you need some help finding your car?”

“Yes, we sure do,” my husband replied.

“I have a flashlight, so I’ll lead the way.” The Amish man who’d spoken, pointed a beam of light down the driveway and walked with us to our car. We thanked him for his kindness and were soon on our way.
As we headed down the road, I thought about how unprepared we had been, going to an event where we knew there would be no street or house lights to guide our way. But the lesson went deeper, as I thought about how, when we travel through life, we can lose our way if we don’t have God’s Word stamped on our hearts. We need to memorize Scripture, and never go anywhere in this dark world without it.
Just as the light was hidden from our view until the Amish man turned on his flashlight, others can’t see Jesus until we walk in the light and let it shine for Him. God gave us the sun, moon, and stars that we may have light. He, being the light Himself, guides and directs those who follow Him, so we won’t stumble, but will show others the way to Jesus, the sweetest, brightest light of all.

If you’re a Christian, how do you show others that you are walking in the light of Jesus?

Heavenly Father:
Fill my heart today with a desire to read, study,
and memorize Your Word. Help me to be a Christian example
so that others may see Your light living in me.

On June 20th we will celebrate Father’s Day. This is a special time when we can honor or reflect upon our fathers. Although my dad, who passed away several years ago, was far from perfect, he had many good qualities. I still think about him and some of the special trips he planned for our family when I was a girl. I remember one trip in particular when he took us to Disneyland in California. He stood in line with my sister and me for over an hour so we could meet three of the Mouseketeers and get their autographs. Dad also took us to the beach and showed us how to find agates and all kinds of seashells. Another thing he liked to do was plan camping trips for our family, where we often met my mother’s twin sister and her family who lived a few hours from us. I also remember my father’s enjoyment of cooking. When I was a teenager he taught me how to make many things, including a delicious savory stew, which I still make periodically for a supper meal.

Do you have some great memories of times spent with your father while you were growing up? Please share them here on my Journal.

“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6 (KJV)