Two friends were walking in a desert. They had very little water left. Soon they started to argue over who would get the last few sips. In the heat of their fight, one friend slapped the other in the face.

The friend who was slapped felt hurt, but he said nothing. Instead, he wrote in the sand with a twig, “Today, my best friend slapped me in the face.”

They journeyed on, and soon came across an oasis. The two friends dove into the water for a quick bath. Suddenly, the friend, who had been slapped earlier, started to drown. His friend swam to his rescue and brought him back to the safety of the shore. Upon recovering from the fright, the friend who just got rescued carved on a stone, “Today, my best friend saved my life.”

Looking at that, the other friend asked, ‘When I slapped you, you wrote it in the sand. But when I saved you, you wrote it in stone. Why is that?’

The other friend replied, “When someone hurts you, write it in sand, so the winds of forgiveness can erase it. But when something is done for you, out of love and caring, engrave it in stone—so the winds of forgetfulness cannot erase it.”

- Anonymous

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Allow yourself the ability to see and think clearly, in spite of any personal hurt and/or pain perceived or received from others. That way you can tend to relationships with others with love, care and deep understanding.

A good way to win most of life’s battles is to let go and forgive and forestall bitterness—learn to forbear from retaliating against them. Instead, overcome them with utmost dignity and grace, enriched with the goal to forgive the hurt and to always cherish the goodness that crosses your path.

FORGIVENESS DOESN’T MAKE THE OTHER PERSON RIGHT…FORGIVENESS MAKES YOU FREE. TO FORGIVE IS TO SET A PRISONER FREE AND DISCOVER THE PRISONER WAS YOU. -Unknown

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Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 NLT

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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