Fill in the Blank
Psalm115:14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.
One of the last things Jesus uttered on the cross was, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Not to debate its meaning, but it was part of a bedtime prayer taught little children during biblical times—a first-century version of “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.”
Jesus may have been taught, “Father, I’m about to go to sleep, so into thy hands I commit my spirit. I’m going to sleep now, Father, I know you are here to watch over me.” Today some finish with, “Angels watch me through the night, and wake me with the morning light.”
Then comes the “God bless ____ (fill in the blank.) I found that it didn’t take long before the litany of blessing took on a regular pattern—Mom, Dad, siblings, family, etc. Then it happened that one name caused an interruption. She said, “Brad [name changed to protect the…not so innocent] hit me. I don’t want to say his name.”
Forgiveness is sometimes hard for the young. The concept has to be emphasized carefully. I have even used humor to soften the solemnness of the time. We agreed that I would say the boy names and she would say the girls. So, in the order already memorized we started over. But when we came to Brad’s name, she stopped me: “Pappy, he’s not a good boy.” When I asked if he was like a monster, she giggled. So, we agreed that we could offer, “God bless monster Brad.” That went on for several times before she quietly insisted that we forget the ‘monster’ part.
Forgiveness takes time when we are learning—even for adults. I have found it profoundly difficult at times. But then—maybe at the prompting of the Holy Spirit—I think of the time which is a standard for forgiveness—“Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.”
Teach the little ones under your care. And, you will find it comforting to remember it also. We can pray that simple prayer, not because we know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
If forgiveness is the main theme you remember from the short story above, then listen and let your heart hear and accept the truth.