Over twenty years ago, my husband and I rented out the house that we have up north to a young family. Their lease was for one year, and we received the first and the last month's rent before they moved in during the late fall. After occupying the house for five months, they called to tell us that they would be moving out. They owed us money — three months' back rent. They assured us that the back rent would be paid in full before they moved out. We weren't happy because we would have to find new tenants again.

The following weekend, several weeks before our usual annual first trip up north, we called to tell them when we would be arriving. When we arrived, the house and front yard looked deserted. No car in the driveway or curtains on the windows. They were gone! We were stunned! The front door was closed but opened at the turn of the doorknob, and the keys were left on the kitchen counter. No note, no forwarding address, and no money. I was shocked — we needed those funds to pay our own bills.

I walked into each empty room in disbelief. Then, I walked into the master bedroom and saw a box of books in the corner. When I looked through the box, I saw some romance novels and one other book, a Bible. When I saw the Bible, I thought, Oh, no! She forgot to take her Bible with her. I couldn't call, nor could I send it on to her. So, I took the Bible home that weekend, and it became my Bible, the one that I have been using over the past twenty years: the New International Version Women's Devotional Bible. No matter where I have roamed, whether on a long or short journey, this Bible has always been within arm's reach.

Over the years, I have never forgotten her, not because of the money that she owed us, but because of her unintentional gift to me — her Bible! And I pray today that she is alive, happy, healthy, and well.

Matthew 6:12 – Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NIV)

I was able to forgive her because Jesus has forgiven me. It is essential for all of us to forgive others, if only for our own sake and health, but also, importantly, because Jesus went on to explain what will happen if we don't.

Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please open our hearts to forgive others when they do us wrong. Please forgive them for their actions and fill them with Your peace. We thank You, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.