“Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.” Proverbs 14:9

Dear Heavenly Father, How difficult it must be for you to sit up in heaven and watch as we sinners hurt one another, fail to recognize needs and treat each other with disrespect-and then refuse to make amends by apologizing. Apology and forgiveness create so much goodwill all the time. Help us to plant its seeds at our every turn. Help us to value the relationships we have more than our own feelings and hurt. Give us the ability to let things go, to apologize and to freely forgive. Help us to imitate what you did for us on the cross. We want the same kind of grace-filled amnesia that you have. It makes relationships with sinners possible. As I ponder this verse today, give me courage to admit to myself and you that I need to apologize to certain people. Then, give me the ability to actually go to them and ask for forgiveness without excuse. Amen.

Under grace even our sinful mistakes are an opportunity to spread good will around God’s world.