Kindness, Tenderheartedness, and Forgiveness

Scripture Texts: Genesis 50; Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 11:22

No one lives forever. Even the greats of the faith die, it happened to Jacob and Joseph, and it will happen to every person. Often it is not a persons death that is most remembered, it is how they lived their life. Were they a kind person, or were they difficult to be around? Those are things most readily remembered.

Funerals are full of stories of how great people were in this life. The real measure is what close friends and family have to say when the crowds are gone and the reception food is all eaten. The narrative of the hearts close to a person are the truest measure of the life that was lived.

We have witnessed many different ways of spouses treating each other. Many people have witnessed a conversation between spouses and felt that uncomfortable stirring in your gut because it seemed harsh and not very loving. There are also the conversations between spouses that show evidence of a deep and abiding love. The type of conversations that make us a little jealous of the couple.

Obviously the goal is to have a relationship such that the memories will be of the love and grace experienced. This begins with simple choices each day. We can choose forgiveness over a grudge. We can choose to be kind over being harsh. We can choose to be tenderhearted over hardhearted. Christ has chosen kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness toward us, we can reflect the same with our spouses. This is in the big moments of life, and it is in the day-to-day moments. In fact the day-to-day might be more important.

May we be people that when the story of our life is written it is a story of kindness, of a tender heart, and of forgiveness. May others want to tell our stories because they see Jesus. May our spouses experience kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness above any other person in our life.