Lessons on giving and forgiving

By Danielle Boyke

The words ‘give’ and ‘forgive’ are two simple words, but these are actions we are reluctant to do at times. There are various contexts in which these actions are practised but sometimes give and forgive requires us to look within and act selflessly.

The definition of ‘give’ expresses a voluntary transfer of a possession; the definition of ‘forgive’ is to relinquish the feeling of anger or resentment towards someone for something that was done to you.

Life gives us many lessons. Do we curse these or have we learnt anything from them?

As we start our day, we greet each other with ‘Good morning’ expressing a kind gesture to each other. If we take the time and reflect, we can see how effortlessly we give a pleasant greeting to others.

Let us make another observation. Whether it is at the office, at school, at home, or even on the roads, there is that one person who decides to test your sanity, who has done you wrong and hurt you.

As much as we are ready to avenge their wrongdoings, we forgive their actions because we tell ourselves that we know better.

Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. Or “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).
Imagine God is always ready to forgive us 70 x 7; He must be in so much pain when we choose not to forgive others.

It gives me great joy to give to others and much gratitude to those who have expressed such kindness towards me. Whilst sometimes these may not be in the form of material things but of even a greater value is giving the best of myself as much as I can.

We are not perfect beings. We must make time for self-healing, as human beings forgiving someone is not an easy task: it is hard to immediately forget the hurt and pain caused.

As easy as it is to give, we can also forgive effortlessly as well. I can safely say that I am always open to forgive. Can you be as keen to forgive me?
“In whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace” or “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph 1:7).

Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7).

Let love, kindness, compassion, peace win in 2021.  Let us give with our whole heart and forgive from within our soul.