Most of us are well aware of our own need for forgiveness. Many of us also suffer from our need to forgive others. The stories in my new book, Gifts of Grace, deal with both these issues.
In “As We’ve Been Loved,” Tammy fights to forgive her daughter-in-law, who abandoned Tammy’s son and grandson when the boy was a newborn. Tammy aches because she feels she hates her daughter-in-law, and she knows Jesus calls that murder.
In “Gifts of Grace” and “Am I Invisible,” Judy and Iola blame their mothers for leaving them. Their mothers died. Should the daughters hold that against them? And yet, I know finding forgiveness for another does not necessarily depend on whether that individual meant to harm me. The pain is still real.
In Luke 23:34, during Jesus’ crucifixion, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
I believe part of the reason Jesus said this was to teach us how important it is to forgive. He recognized the suffering that non-forgiveness can cause for us.
In Acts 7:60, as Stephen was being stoned to death, he said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” I believe part of the help God gave Stephen to endure this tragedy, was for Stephen to not have hate in his heart.
God knows us. He knows that when we hold hatred or non-forgiveness in our hearts toward others, it causes the most pain to ourselves. Our hearts are crusted. Our joy is stifled. Thoughts for the person we’re angry with run ugly through our mind, and even our bodies ache.
Jesus does not want us to suffer this way.
Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
1 Peter 4:8: Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 17:9: Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Jesus wants us to dwell in the peace and comfort that forgiving others can shower over us.
Gifts of Grace
Three novellas. Three women search with hungry hearts, and God shows them surprising answers.
Tammy needs a new goal to fill her empty nest, and she needs to find forgiveness for her heart.
Mourning the loss of her baby, Judy flees to the home she abandoned twelve years ago. The family farm. Is something new waiting for her at this old home?
Iola, who is blind, struggles to prove herself as a professional and to be the mother her sixteen-year-old daughter needs during a rough time.
Watch as God opens doors these women would never expect.
Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for more than 40 years, she still considers herself a farm girl.
She’s been married to Murray for 33 years, and they have five adult children.
Kathy has had two careers before writing—stay-at-home-Mom and rehabilitation teacher for the blind.
She lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dog.
Contact her: Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Thank you so much, Jenni.