A Parable, a Song, and a Lesson

I have said before that I have few bad days and usually enjoy my job.

Well, Sunday was a "bad" day and I had an aggravating day at work.

I had the beginning of a migraine and had a lot on my mind. I was a quieter, not-so-smiley version of myself, and was hoping that my co-workers would forgive me for my slow-ishness and complaining spirit.
I ended up having to help a someone who has tried my patience before, and Sunday was no different. I worked with an attitude, complaining the whole time in my head: I shouldn't be treated this way, I am not needed over here, I am not going to help next time they call for it, I hate this department, and, well, you get the point. I went on like this for some time, even voicing some of my complaints to another co-worker. Then-

*NEWS FLASH*

Uh, hello, but have you forgotten that you have been forgiven much, for far worse offenses than asking for help the wrong way? How often do you take your relationship with Christ for granted, ungrateful for His sacrificial death (which should have been yours), disregarding His will for your life, denied and forsaken Him for your selfish wants? And yet, amazingly, He forgives you- overwhelmingly, abundantly, and lovingly. Will you not forgive a co-worker who has simply asked you to help them?

   As if this revelation wasn't enough, this parable of Christ came to my mind (working of the Holy Spirit, anyone?): 

Matthew 18:23-35  KJV

  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents (equivalent to several million dollars). But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence (equivalent to a few dollars!): and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

I was thinking about this on the way home when Chris Sligh's song, Our Love, started playing. Here is the chorus:

Oh, we're all messed up

Oh, but isn't that the point of love?

We are, we are, we are all broken people

But we've been set free and loved

We are, we are, we are the chosen people forgiven much,

So where's our love, our love, our love?

It looks kind of awkward typed out, but it is an awesome reminder that we are just like everyone else, just forgiven and called to love like our Savior.

The lesson I learned is important, and I guess I needed to receive it more than once, since God used His Word, a song, and an experience to drill it into my hard head. We are forgiven- we should  need to forgive.

Thank You, Savior, for forgiving me, teaching me, and growing me. May my this life bring You glory this week!