Interrupted by Grace {Day 5}: Forgiveness

Happy weekend!  I sure love Saturday mornings.  For us, it's the one morning a week that we don't have to rush to start into school work or be anywhere, most of the time.  Over the last couple of months we've used Saturdays mornings, after leisurely waking up, watching some cartoons, having breakfast, and getting ready for the day, to pick up the week's mess in our bedrooms.  That's pretty much the plan for this morning, too.

But, before anyone else comes downstairs, I've got this time to write and share with you about yesterday's interrupted by grace moment.

During Lent, I've been reading through Matthew and Mark.  This past week I finished Matthew and began Mark's account of Jesus's life.  Yesterday morning, cuddled in my bathrobe, sipping my coffee and listening to the birdsong outside, I read chapter three, which begins with the story of the paralytic who is brought to Jesus by his friends and lowered down in front of Him through the roof.  Verse five sounded in my heart like an alarm, waking me to truth,

"Son, your sins are forgiven."

Bam!

Five words and Jesus pronounced the paralytic washed clean.

The alarm in my heart rang with joy to my soul, Heather, it's no different for you.  Your sins are forgiven.  It's done.  And it's as marvelous as it feels.  Good news of great joy!

I finished reading the chapter, then grabbed an index card to write down the verse for hanging in the window above the kitchen sink.

I included the last thing Jesus said to the no-longer paralytic, because it reminded me that the Christian carries on in forgiveness after being forgiven.

Yesterday the day began with such hope as the Lord interrupted me by grace with the truth that when Christ says, "Your sins are forgiven," they are!  From that center, you and I can live life in joy and peace, by taking up the mat of sin that used to paralyze us and going home upright on the  strong, healthy legs of forgiveness.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  When I do a series, Sundays are non-writing days.  So I'll catch you on Monday.