Groundhog's Day

We woke up to a new inch of snow, and it seems that Puxatony Phil is predicting another six weeks of winter this morning. I would say that most of us who live in the north would be happy if there is ONLY another six weeks of winter! I hope that today is not like the movie Groundhog's Day and that we do not keep waking up to fresh snow until we figure out how to get things right, because it could take awhile since we, as humans, are slow to figure things out sometimes.

I'm sure each of us has do-overs we would like to have in life, but unlike in the movie, we don't get to go back and start completely over with others having no memory of what happened. We have to face consequences, ask forgiveness, and change our behaviors and attitudes, as we choose to make changes in our lives.

How many of us need do-overs in our relationships? Maybe we said or did something that deeply hurt someone, or maybe it was a small thing to us, but a big thing to someone else. Sometimes the forgiveness is not readily available. Sometimes, there's forgiveness, but still hurt or distrust because as humans, we can't just wipe the offense all away like God can, because of Jesus. God knows we make mistakes, and that's why Jesus died on the cross for all our mess ups. We don't have to keep doing things over and over until we get it right, we just have to ask His forgiveness and try our best to change. We will still mess up, but Jesus is always there to forgive, if we truly want that forgiveness.

Who do you need to forgive today that you might be making go through 'do-overs' to make you happy? Who have you offended that you need to apologize to today? Don't wait...do it today. Unlike Bill Murray, we don't get to start each day over until we get it right. We have to live with each choice, each word said, each action we do. Take some time today, on this Groundhog's day, to heal some hurts with yourself and with others, and take some time to talk to God about His forgiveness and thank Him that because of Jesus, you have the opportunity to have do overs in life.

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped. Psalm 130:3-4 The Message

Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him." Luke 17:3-4 The Message