Delete

  Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.        Acts 13:38 NIV

After a mini trip over the weekend, I went through files on my computer of the digital pictures I took.  Some of the pictures were great, but others left room for improvement.  My daughter blurry as she pulled away from me – DELETE.  My Son making the pouty face he does when he doesn’t get his way – DELETE.  Super close-up of my double chin – DOUBLE DELETE.  Perfect.  Then I viewed the trip pictures on a slide show. Even more perfect.  Our trip was wonderful.  No one cried or pitched fits.  There were no spots on our clothes from spilled food.  No one got food stuck in their teeth.  Not one of us had a double chin.  I think we must have smiled the whole trip. At least, that’s how it appeared after watching the slide show. 

 Ahh! That marvelous delete button.  It took our imperfections and whisked them away into computer oblivion, otherwise known as the recycle bin.  Isn’t that nice?  When someone else views the pictures, all they will see is our perfect trip – all smiles.  This same button works wonders for my writing.  The run-on sentence that never ends – DELETE.  The paragraph with too many details not on the subject – DELETE.  Misplaced modifiers, missing commas, improper use of the words lie and lay – DELETE.  Ugly things there before disappeared as if they never happened.     

God has a delete button, too.  Snapped at your husband for joking when you weren’t in the joking mood – DELETE.  Lost patience when no one saved you any peanut M&Ms – DELETE.  Acted testy when the dishwasher repairman showed up an hour after his five-hour window – DELETE.  Made some unpleasant decisions in your past – DELETE.  It can be just that easy.  When we ask God for forgiveness, he grants it – immediately, no strings attached.  It’s as if he deletes it.  When he looks at us, all he sees is his perfect creation – all smiles.  It doesn’t get any better than that. 

Take some time to go over the personal files of your life.  Are there some things there that you would like to delete?  Go to our Father in Heaven and ask him to delete them for you.  Asking his forgiveness can be just as easy as pushing that button.  DELETE. 

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 NIV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.         1 John 1:9 NIV

 Lord, thank you for the delete that you grant when we request it.  Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross so that I could have atonement.  How amazing when we ask you for forgiveness, you award it immediately with no strings attached.  Help me to live a life pleasing to you.  Amen.