Forgiveness
Father in Heaven,
May we forgive our neighbors who trespass against us:
For un-shoveled sidewalks and un-mowed lawns,
For late night backyard parties and loud music past our kids’ bedtimes,
For the lack of improvements to their house and how it impacts our home’s value,
Or the extravagant remodel that begins to change how our neighborhood feels,
For all the ways in which our neighbors do not live how we would want,
May we forgive them.
May we be forgiven:
For not following Your command in loving our neighbors as ourselves,
For walking in our front door instead of walking across the street when we see them,
For not inviting them to our own BBQ or backyard party,
For being too busy with our own interests that we are unaware of the needs of our neighbors,
And we only see un-shoveled sidewalks, un-mowed lawns, and un-improved homes,
For all the ways in which we do not live how You would want,
May You forgive us.
May forgiveness be the soil
Where compassion takes root and empathy grows.
May love for our neighbors be the fruit of our life
of being forgiven by You.
