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| If you can forgive Peter, You can forgive me |
Lord,
Even though Peter knows ahead of time that he would deny Christ, it seems that he would be extra vigilant and prepared not to. But in the midst of all that was going on, he forgot and he fell. He did exactly what he said he would not and exactly what he did not want to do. He failed Jesus out of fear. He thought first of himself. He was not remembering his words or the words of yours. In the mayhem of it all, he fell. He failed Jesus in a big way and when he realized it he was shaken and guilty. He knew what he had done and was ashamed and grieved at his own behavior.
Lord, I never thought of this when I have failed. I never have looked at these men who are perfect in heaven now, as humans who were just like me in so many ways. I have failed you in so many ways. Ways I never thought I would, ways I did not want to. Ways I had resolved not to, and yet I did exactly what I did not want to do.
And you are always patient, loving, compassionate and forgiving to me. You do remind me but it is always in a gentle loving way. You are never angry and hateful the way I often am.
Lord, help me be more like you when others fail. Lord, help me be more like Peter when I fail. Help me to repent, accept your forgiveness and move forward. And leave it behind because I know you have. Help me forgive others and myself the way you do. I want to have the peace that comes along with that forgiveness. How is it that even thought I know the anger and the hatefulness always ends up hurting the other person in a way I regret, but it always hurts me as well. I hurt myself in so many ways, ways I could avoid if I would put my pride aside and do it your way. Hel p me handle my relationships the way you desire that I do. Help me be more loving and compassionate the way you are. Lord, give me the grace to do it your way.
I will, I have, now go and use it and when you fail, forgive yourself and let it go because I already have.
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