The lady with clear eyes and a big smile reached down and drew out a gift of two silver bracelets. She wanted me to have something from her so I would remember to pray for her. Despite her recent diagnosis of terminal cancer, nothing could rob her of the joy on her smiling face.
She was on her way to a hotel in Manila to visit family, and she prayed for a peaceable and enjoyable visit that would, perhaps, heal some past misunderstandings. My husband and I were on our way to the airport to fly back home.
The conversation began about her years as a teacher and the abuse she had received from a coworker. Bitterness and unforgiveness toward her abuser began to erode her own view of life and, ultimately, caused her to be guilty of the same offense. She smiled broadly while telling me about the freedom to forgive that she found in Christ and the healing she has experienced in her own heart. Though we would only share this short trip together, we were sisters in Christ. We both understood how powerful it is to experience God’s forgiveness and how equally powerful it is to forgive those who wrong us. I understood her joy.
I wore the two silver bracelets almost daily to remind myself to pray. During the shutdown when she could no longer teach, she designed art projects for children. I joined her Facebook group and posted some flowers I sketched. Her words encouraged me to sketch more of the little flowers I saw along the river close to my stateside home. A short time later, I received word she was now at home with Jesus. Free. Forgiven. I will never forget her testimony; and, because of Jesus, I will see her smiling face again.
Matthew 6:12 …Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. KJV
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” NKJV
