Hebrews 8:12

Relationships are a funny thing.  Relationships in middle school are even funnier.  I had a few really good friends in middle school who changed girlfriends faster than they changed their socks.  A good friend of mine wanted to dump this girl because he didn’t find her attractive anymore.  He thought honesty was the best way to go at all times.  This buddy didn’t pull any punches when he had “the talk”.  He told her that he wanted to break up because he no longer thought she was good looking.  He was surprised when she didn’t appreciate his honesty.  In fact she didn’t appreciate it at all.  She yelled at him and ran away.  This happened in grade 9 and her hatred of my buddy continued all the way into high school.  She wouldn’t talk to him or even give him a smile.  Her friends ended up hating him, too.  They treated him badly also all the way through high school.

I am glad God doesn’t hold grudges.  God doesn’t bring up our past mistakes.  I know for humans it is hard to let go.  I think it’s really hard to love someone when we keep remembering how they wronged us.  God loves us and chooses to focus on the now, not how we have messed up in the past.  I feel we need to do the same in all situations in life.  This girl robbed herself of joy and peace by choosing to hold onto bitterness.  Bitterness kills the one who holds a grudge, not the one on the receiving end of it.

I feel that if we learn to let things go like God does, not only will our relationships be healthier but our spiritual lives will be as well.