A Work of Forgiveness

The first time I heard Brandon Heath’s song, Give me Your Eyes, I was helping my older brother relocate our real father to a rehab facility from Colorado to Kansas. This man had signed his parental rights away when we were quite young and walked away. For most of my life, I referred to him simply as “The donor.” I had no respect for him. I hadn’t been saved very long before God began a work of forgiveness in my heart towards this man and the hope of a relationship restored with him.

As I prepared to help him move, I purchased a bible to give him. I wrote in it a heartfelt note of forgiveness and appreciation to him as my father. When I offered him the bible, he rejected it. I asked to leave it, he would not allow me to. That was the last time I saw him. I walked away with the bible, a broken heart, and a wisp of anger.

He died in February 2015. My heart broke that any hope of restoration died with his last breath. He died alone, worse, he didn’t have to.

The Lord has continued to work in my heart, in that I now see him through different eyes. My heart hurts for the life he had. You see, I have learned that everyone acts in a way that makes sense to them. This does not mean their behavior is right or justify their actions, but this perspective can give us insight to comprehend their behavior. I now see things in his life that I am certain influenced the choices he made in his journey. I understand now, he loved us the best way he knew how, and I can respect him for that.

As I close, I want to encourage those who have been hurt, allow the Spirit to have His perfect work in you and let Him mend your heart. And to those who have walked away, you are still worth loving, allow yourself to be loved.

What happened to that bible? I’m so glad you asked. About two weeks later one of my younger brother’s friends was talking about how much he wanted a bible and didn’t have one. I smiled, ‘cause I just happened to have an extra. I will never forget the look on his face when I gave it to him.

God knows all things my friend. Trust in His ways.

Exodus 20:12 KJV Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Matthew 6:14-15 KJV For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.

Written February 26, 2022