Pressed Down

Following an 89th birthday luncheon a few of us hosted for a friend I had a lot of "pressing" to do.

It was such a joy for me to use linens, china and silver that belonged to Deke's and my grandmothers.

As I was ironing, the word pressed  came to mind and I thought of a passage in the Luke 6:37-38.  Luke chapter 6 finds Jesus exhibiting purpose in prayer, confronting the Pharisees, selecting the final Apostles and teaching, teaching, teaching.

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:37-38

The Message translation puts it this way.

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang.  Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.  Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back-given back with bonus and blessing.  Giving, not getting, is the way.  Generosity begets generosity.

Long, long ago, a friend called me to share what another friend had said about me.  These were both women who loved the Lord and I still love both of them deeply. The one was making fun of the way I seasonally decorated my home (still do) in what I think are fun ways for children.  At that particular time of year, I had a back to school wreath on my door that contained, pencils, markers, crayons, ruler, glue, maker.  I called the woman with concern in my heart wanting to right anything that might be wrong. Instead of mending the relationship she became defensive said the other woman wasn't a friend to me for telling me what she had said.  

She left our church and ceased letting our sons play together. Ten years passed before she came to me and asked me to forgive her.  I did with joy, but told her I grieved for what had been loss that we could have done for the Lord together in those years and for the friendship that had been loss for our sons.  

Unforgiveness is a JOY robber.  

Let's ask the Lord right now if we are harboring unforgiveness in our heart. 

This young blogger has put together 20 verses about holding grudges against others.

https://marisadamore.com/verses/20-bible-verses-about-holding-grudges-and-embracing-forgiveness

The Song

“Where Forgiveness Is”  Sidewalk Prophets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpabLhQZ2k