THE OLD GARDENER
Learn From This Story.
One day, a wealthy man and his young daughter were walking through a park when they noticed an old gardener tending to some flowers. The young girl was curious and approached the gardener.
«Excuse me, sir,» she said. «Why are you working so hard at your age?»
The gardener smiled gently and replied, «Can I tell you a story, young lady?»
The girl nodded eagerly.
«Once upon a time, there was a young boy who had a beautiful garden,» the gardener began. «He loved his garden dearly and took great pride in it. One day, a group of mischievous kids from the neighborhood came and trampled all over his flowers, destroying the garden he loved so much. The boy was devastated and filled with anger. He vowed to get back at those kids and spent all his time plotting his revenge.»
The girl’s eyes widened as she listened intently.
«One night, the boy snuck into the kids’ houses and damaged their property in retaliation. But his actions didn’t go unnoticed. The kids’ parents found out and were furious. They confronted the boy’s family, and a big feud broke out between the neighbors. The boy’s garden was neglected during this time, and it withered away completely. He lost both his garden and the peace in his life.»
The young girl looked thoughtful. «What happened to the boy afterwards?» she asked.
The gardener paused and then said, «That boy grew up to be an old man, and that old man is me. I learned a hard lesson: holding onto anger and seeking revenge only brings more pain and loss.»
The girl’s father, who had been listening, nodded in agreement. The old gardener continued, «Instead of harboring anger, I decided to dedicate my life to tending gardens and creating beauty wherever I could. Through forgiveness and focusing on positive actions, I found peace and happiness.»
The young girl smiled and said, «Thank you for sharing your story. I’ll remember to forgive others and focus on the good in life.»
The gardener nodded. «Remember, forgiveness isn’t just for others; it’s for your own peace and growth. Don’t let anger and revenge consume you. Let go, forgive, and nurture the beauty in your life.»
Hopeful Bible Verses About the Power of Forgiveness
Jesus often told people, «Your sins are forgiven.» What a stunning statement. Forgiveness is powerful. Unforgiveness can also be powerful: when we refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, we ironically and powerfully hurt ourselves. Lewis Smedes once said, «Forgiving is the only way to be fair to yourself. Would it be fair to you that the person who hurt you once goes on hurting you the rest of your life? When you refuse to forgive, you are giving the person who walloped you once the privilege of hurting you all over again—in your memory.»
Beyond the healing that forgiving someone who wronged us brings to our hearts, it is also commanded in Scripture.
Look up the following verses and talk about the steps to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Matthew 18:21-22
«Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ «
Psalm 86:5
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Psalm 32:1
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”
Matthew 6:15
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Proverbs 17:9
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs old quarrels, but love overlooks insults.”
Psalm 103:12
«As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.»
Daniel 9:9
«The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.»
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more …»
Hebrews 10:17
“Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Psalm 130:3-4
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”
Ephesians 1:7-8
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”
Colossians 1:13-14
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Better World 🌎 
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