For if you forgive those who trespass against you, your heavenly Parent will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)

One Sunday afternoon, Doris Louise Seger opened the door of her church office with the intent of practicing a violin solo she was to play that night, only to find that her violin had been smashed to pieces, scattered across the floor. Doris was crushed. She had received the violin fifty years earlier as a high school graduation present from her parents. She thought, “Who? Why? How can I forgive that person?”

A week later, police found the vandal and Doris went to his home. When she saw the skinny, blond 11-year old sitting next to his father, she understood that the real ugly tragedy was not her shattered violin, but a young life that seemed headed for a very troubled future. She explained to the family what the violin had meant to her life and then she found herself saying, “I forgive you, and God will, too, if you ask God!”

A few days later, the boy came to the Pastor’s office, asking hesitantly, “Is there any work that I can do at the church to pay for the violin?” At the sign of his repentant heart, the pastor shared the Gospel with him and the boy received Jesus as his Savior that day.

Doris purchased a new violin, but she later wrote, “It would never compare with this ‘new creature’ in Christ Jesus. I learned anew that God’s grace is sufficient to give me a forgiving heart.”

Blessed God of Love, remind us that there is nothing in this world so valuable as our relationship with You, and that in forgiving, we find new birth!