On our back porch is a basket of stones. On each, a word is printed with white paint that has worn over time. I use these as prayer reminders, but the children love handling the smooth stones. Sometimes they are warm, sometimes cool, but always good to the touch. This week I noticed my 5-year-old granddaughter, Maddie, moving the stones around, then going out to pick flowers to bring inside. As I started to open the back door, I found one smooth black stone lying at the doorsill. This was the one with Forgiveness dimly written across its surface. I looked back at Maddie, who called “I put that there for you. It is special.” And I thought how right she was, what a needed reminder, what a precious gift. A gift rom a 5-year-old little girl who thought it was pretty, from loved ones to whom I may have failed to encourage and bless, from my heavenly Father, who offers it so freely and loves me unconditionally. Forgiveness is indeed a gift. Now that I consider it, so are the words written on all the other stones.

                                                                                                                                                                Light for my darkness                                                                                        

Courage for my fear
                                                                                                                                                                                  Hope for my despair
                                                                                                                                             Peace for my turmoil
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Joy for my sorrow.
                                                                                                                                                          Strength for my weakness.
                                                                                                                                                                                       Wisdom for my confusion.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Forgiveness for my sins.

                                                                                                                                                                          Love for my hates

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Thy Self for my self.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Taken from At The Opening of the Day
                                                                                                                                                                                                By Howard Thurman