Day 55: At the Bedside of 'Impossible': Can There Be Forgiveness?

Day 55: At the bedside of 'Impossible': Can There Be Forgiveness?

Read: Psalm 25; Matthew 6:6 - 15; 18:21 - 35 (The Law of Forgiveness)

It has been a very trying time, an emotionally draining time for you. You have been at the bedside of 'Impossible' for what seems like an eternity. You have tried to do everything you could to be a good listener and a source of comfort. You have tried to provide 'Impossible' with all the support you could muster. You know that it is very important to keep spirits at as high a level as possible in the face the inevitable. It is nearing the time when 'Impossible' must finally pass away. Death must come to this place - there is nothing you can do about it. Tearfully, you look at 'Impossible', ask if there is anything left to do? Yes, came the tearful reply "will you please forgive me?"

Forgiving 'Impossible'? How is this possible? Can 'Impossible' be forgiven? This was the last thing on mind. I had not even taken the time to consider it. The lifetime I had spent being manipulated, held back, lied to, hurt by 'Impossible' was suddenly thrust to the front of my mind. The anger welled up once again, the temptation to just get up and leave began to overwhelm me again. The thought that I really needed to leave the room and walk the halls, go to the bathroom, or to just plain go home and skip the rest of it. I rationalize: 'Impossible' will understand. 'Impossible' will pray to God and God will forgive as He always does. 'Impossible' will pass away', 'Impossible' will be laid to rest'. As Jesus promised; 'Impossible will be raised, becoming 'possible'. I'll let God and Jesus do what God and Jesus do anyway and that will finally end it all.

What will you do now? Will you leave Hospice and let God and Jesus do their thing and let it go at that? Will you remain in the room with 'Impossible'? Can you find it in your own heart to fulfill what in all possibility will be 'Impossible' last request? Can you overcome your memory of your past personal relationship with your 'Impossible'? Can you forgive the trespasses that 'Impossible' made against you the same way as Your Father in Heaven forgave the trespasses that you continue to make against Him? Could you eventually forgive yourself for not doing for 'Impossible' what Christ did for you when He forgave you - even though He knew then you would not know the implications of the decisions you are about to make on behalf of the dying 'Impossible' before you? Are there 'Impossibles' in your life that you should spend some time trying to forgive?

Let us Pray: God, our Redeemer, giver of life and truth and grace, we gather today in a spirit of thanksgiving for all your mercies. Forgiving us when we find it 'Impossible' to forgive others. Thank you for gifting us your Son Jesus Christ, in whom we have forgiveness of our trespasses and renewal and transformation of heart. Receive each one of us as we humbly come before you. Help us to finally overcome ourselves. Help us to receive your forgiveness in the Spirit of the ultimate love through which it is so graciously given. Through Christ our Lord who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father ..

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