I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this chapter about freedom from unforgiveness comes right before the chapter about repentance! I believe that this chapter should be prayed over for ourselves as well as our children. Only then can we think about moving on to prayer for repentance.
I am guilty of reacting less than appropriately to some of the ridiculous antics that come my way from the boys. What attitude am I forming in them if I don’t handle situations correctly by allowing the children to see forgiveness firsthand? UGH! Not very pretty.
I know I don’t have nearly as much to say in this area as I do for most chapters, but I truly think that one sentence simply sums it all up . . .
Without forgiveness there is no reason for repentance!
“One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13-14
Oh, and one last thought . . . I really do like what she said about having the child say “I forgive you”. I too believe that it simply gives the child a tool to help them acheive true forgiveness.