(8 AM Reflections, Saturday, April 19th, 2025)
The gentle hush of early Saturday morning in Shreveport holds a unique kind of peace. Even as the eastern sky begins its slow reveal of dawn, a faint glow of the moon still lingers, a silvered memory of the quiet hours that have passed. Here on my front porch, the familiar warmth of a coffee mug in my hands accompanies a deeper stirring within. Rereading my reflections from last Saturday's porch ponderings on Lysa TerKeurst's "Forgiving What You Can't Forget," specifically chapters 13 through 15, brings a fresh wave of understanding, especially as I consider this Holy Saturday – a day steeped in reflection on its own.
Last week, as the world hurried towards another weekend, I was grappling with the core of forgiveness through TerKeurst's insights and the unwavering truth of Scripture. Chapter 13, "When Forgiveness Feels Like Letting Them Off the Hook," resonated deeply with the inherent human struggle. That nagging feeling that to forgive is to excuse, to minimize the pain inflicted. Yet, the stark clarity of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:14-15 echoes in my mind this morning: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This isn't about the offender's deserving; it's about our own liberation from the chains of resentment, a freedom akin to breaking free from the slavery of sin described in Romans 6:16. On this Holy Saturday, as we remember the ultimate act of forgiveness offered to humanity, the call to extend that same grace becomes even more profound.
The strengthening morning light illuminates the power of honesty, the theme of Chapter 14: "The Power of Naming the Hurt." TerKeurst's emphasis on articulating the specifics of our pain finds a powerful echo in the raw vulnerability of the Psalms. David's cries of anguish in Psalm 22:1, his unflinching honesty before God, remind us that acknowledging our wounds – the betrayal, the abandonment, the disrespect – is not weakness, but a crucial step towards healing. On this Holy Saturday, as we reflect on the immense suffering endured by Christ, we are reminded that acknowledging pain is the first step towards the possibility of resurrection and reconciliation, both for ourselves and in our relationships.
Finally, Chapter 15, "Grace: The Unearned Gift That Makes Forgiveness Possible," strikes at the very heart of the Gospel. TerKeurst beautifully connects our ability to forgive with the boundless grace we ourselves have received. Ephesians 4:32 commands us: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This Holy Saturday, as we contemplate the unmerited grace poured out upon us through Christ's sacrifice, the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 serves as a potent reminder. Our capacity to extend forgiveness, often a supernatural act, is a direct reflection of the transformative grace we have been so freely given. It's a conscious choice to offer what hasn't been earned, mirroring the very essence of God's love for us.
Sitting here on this Holy Saturday morning, the echoes of last week's porch ponderings resonate with the unique significance of this day. Forgiveness, empowered by grace and rooted in honest acknowledgment of our pain, mirrors the journey from the darkness of the cross to the radiant hope of the resurrection we await. May this day of quiet reflection deepen our understanding of the profound grace we've received and empower us to extend that same grace in our own journeys of forgiveness.
What are your reflections on how the themes of grace and honesty intertwine with the unique atmosphere of Holy Saturday in the journey of forgiveness? I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts as we continue to learn and grow together in faith, especially during this sacred time of waiting and anticipation.
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