Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings and needed to apologize but couldn’t find the right words or weren’t sure how they would respond? Or maybe you went to them to say you were sorry, but they wouldn’t accept your apology. Perhaps, you had a disagreement with someone and they wanted you to apologize but you didn’t feel that you had said or done anything wrong. Did you offer an apology anyway?

Maybe you were the one who was hurt by something someone said or did to offend you. Did you expect an apology from them? If they apologized, did you accept it and continue your relationship, or did you decide that it wasn’t worth the effort and cut them out of your life? What did you do if they never said they were sorry? Can a friendship or family relationship remain strong if apologies are never said when problems arise or hurtful things are said or done?

There are many verses in the Bible that refer to the topic of forgiveness. In the Book of Mark, chapter 11, verse 25 (NKJV), Jesus said: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

In my Prayer Jar Devotional: Forgiveness, I mentioned that according to Webster’s Dictionary, the word forgive means “to grant pardon for or to.” The Greek word translated forgiveness means “to let go,” as when a person doesn’t demand payment for a debt.

Did you know that when we’re unwilling to forgive, it can make us feel physically and spiritually sick? Sadly, some people hold on to their anger towards someone for years, allowing it to control their thoughts and behavior. Forgiveness has the power to heal both parties involved. Emotional and spiritual healing begins when we choose to forgive.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 5:32 (NKJV).

A few weeks ago, some of our Amish friends, who had been traveling, stopped by our home for a visit. Traveling in their driver’s van, there were four Amish couples, plus their driver and his wife. Soon after they arrived, my husband fired up the barbecue grill and we shared a meal on our patio with these dear friends from Indiana. Afterwards, we gathered in our family room and had a wonderful time of singing, with the accompaniment of my husband’s guitar and our Amish friend’s harmonica. I even did a short routine with my ventriloquist figure, Randy Right.

In a few days we will be visiting several of our Amish friends in their Indiana homes. Most of those visits will involve a meal, as well as singing and fellowshipping with one another. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with friends, when we can share prayer requests and get caught up on one another’s lives.

Have you enjoyed the company of a friend recently? If so, did you gather for a meal, talk on the phone or do some fun activity together?

In my novel, The Healing Jar, Mary Ruth became a widow. At first she felt lost and like her life had no meaning. Having members of her family around helped to fill her lonely days, but she still grieved the loss of her husband. She took comfort, however, in knowing that her beloved husband was with the Lord and no longer suffering.

What can be done for a person who has suffered such bereavement? If you have lost someone close to you, what helped the most as you moved forward?