Thought for Tuesday, April 17th

April 17, 2012

A Series of Spiritual Ponderings

With Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn

This here series may seem a bit peculiar to some of ya’ll folks: but then life itself can be a tad bit peculiar some of the time.  Over the next few days the writer of these here thoughts has decided to take a gander at some spiritual insights from the perspective of Tom and Huck, a couple of characters from Mr. Mark Twains novels.

Next

Forgiven & Forgettin’ Is Sometimes Powerful Hard to Do

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.

Matthew 6:14-15

     And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25-26

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luke 6:37

Quote of the Day

“Forget and forgive.  This is not difficult, when properly understood.  It means you are to forget once you have honestly and truly forgiven.  In time, by rigid practice and stern determination, it comes easy.” – Mark Twain

Today’s Thoughts and Insights:

Tom and Huck are two boys who are most certainly well acquainted with the need to be forgiven and they will both rather readily be willing to admit that this is so.  Yet when it comes to being forgiving and especially when it comes to forgetting the grievance being forgiven, that may be a different matter all together for them; and most especially for Tom when it comes to his brother Sid.

Tom – Huck, Mary has been after me of late to be more forgiven of them folks that ain’t doin’ things just so as to my way of thinkin’ how they orta be done.

Huck – Well now Tom that don’t sound like a bad thing.

Tom – Maybe not in a general way of speakin’ but she’s a wantin’ me to put these ideas of hers into play with Sid and ya know that is bout askin the near most impossible.

Huck – Reckon you and Sid does have some thorny patches of ground betwixt ya.

Tom – Trouble of it is,  I don’t think Mary is completely wrong, but I got ta tell ya Huck, I’d most almost take a lickin’ twice a day as forgive Sid for all the meanness He does that gets me into so much confound trouble.

Huck – Now is it Sid who does the meanness or is it you and He just brings it to Aunt Polly’s attention.

Tom – Don’t tell me your on their side Huck.

Huck – Well now, I ain’t sayin’ I’m on any particular side but right is right and if’n ya think God expects ya to be forgiven others as so you can be forgiven’ as the Widder keeps tell’n me then I reckon ya might aught ta give the notion some ponderin.

Tom – Seems this whole business is gonna be the near death of me if I ever get it straight.

Huck -  Like ya told me yesterday Tom – it might not be so all fired difficult it ya ask God to help ya.

Tom – Well I reckon when it comes to Sid, the only way I’m gonna succeed at forgiven and forgotten him is if’n God does help me.

Huck – Well I reckon if’n ya let Him, He probably will.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I know there are days when I require a great deal of your forgiveness:  And how thankful I am that with your forgiveness you willing forget my sin and put it away not to be remembered again.  Help me to be willing to do the same for others.

“Divine forgiveness – all mortal attributes, intellect, power, majesty, are poor and mean and human in the presence of it.”

– Mark Twain

“I’m forgiven, because you were forsaken;

I’m accepted, you were condemned:

I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me,

Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, How can it be

That you my King would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it’s true:

And it’s my joy to honor you,

In all I do, let me honor you. “

-  Lyrics from ‘Amazing Love’ by Billy James Foote