Forgiveness the Rule of Thumb

Mia Charles was four years old when her little sister Stephanie was born. Mia loved her little sister and talked to everyone she met about her. She would take pictures of her to school for show and tell, so everyone could see her baby doll as Mia sometimes called Stephanie. Mia thought she was lucky to have such a cute and funny little sister.

When Stephanie was seven years old she wanted to take Mia’s doll over to a friends to play with, but Mia told her no, that was her special doll their grandmother had given her and she didn't want anyone playing with it not even Stephanie. One day while Mia was out shopping with her mother, Stephanie took the doll out to play anyway. She dropped the doll in the dirt and some little boy kicked it into a hole where some men had been working on the streets. When a man from the crew handed the doll back to Stephanie, it was ruined; she knew she was going to be in big trouble with Mia, but to her surprise, Mia wasn't mad. She told Stephanie, “I love that doll, but I love you more, so I forgive you, she gave her a hug and kiss and that was the end of that.

When Stephanie was thirteen she did the same thing to one of Mia’s favorite dresses. Mia was very upset with her, but she forgave her and let it go. Again when Stephanie was eighteen she took Mia’s car without asking and ran into two parked cars. Over the years Stephanie continued to screw up and Mia would forgive her, Stephanie was her sister and she loved her unconditionally.

Now Stephanie was twenty-five years old and she was having her first baby, she was so happy, she couldn’t believe it. She got married and bought a house just a few weeks before her little baby girl was born. She named her Star Mia Taylor in appreciation for all Mia had done for her over the years.

When Star was three years old, Mia came over for a visit. She stayed for lunch and played with Star for hours. She was so happy to be an Aunt longing to have her own children someday, but for right now Star would have to do. When she was ready to leave she said her goodbyes and headed out the door. She was backing out of the driveway when she heard Stephanie scream a gut retching wheal, causing Mia to slam down on her breaks wondering what happened. Mia got out of the car and ran back up to the house. Stephanie could not speak; she pointed to the driveway and there laid Star bleeding everywhere. Mia ran to her falling to her knees. She was screaming and crying and calling on God. Stephanie ran over and started hitting Mia. She was yelling at her and pushing her away from Star. A neighbor ran over and called for help. The neighbor tried to pull Stephanie off of Mia, but she would not let her go. Stephanie called Mia a murderer; she told Mia, she would never forgive her for killing her child.

Sixteen years has passed and Mia and Stephanie have not spoken since that tragic day. Mia got married without her sister there; she has three children who have never seen their Aunt.  She longs for her sister back, but Stephanie has never forgiven her. Stephanie was diagnosed with stomach Cancer ten years ago and is now living in a Cancer Treatment Center holding on to each day as best she can. She never had any more children and her husband left her seven years after the accident. She has never been the same and has never recovered. She has never forgiven Mia and will go to her grave with an unforgiving heart.

Forgiveness is the Rule of Thumb for the Kingdom of God. When someone wrongs you, no matter what the reason, you must forgive them. Mia lived to forgive her sister, because the love she has for her could never be overshadowed by a mistake, accident, or cause, merited or unmerited. Stephanie on the other hand, did not feel the same way. There are many Scriptures that live in me when it comes to forgiveness, but one sums up the totality of what it means to forgive with all your heart. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13 NLT).