Once a month, I will post a favorite story from the year prior.
Travel Journal, 68
Another rough night in the airport. I balanced my toothbrush on the counter ledge while I splashed my face with water. I know I shouldn’t complain about travel. God has blessed my wife and I with the ability and opportunity to see, learn, share, and discover unmeasured blessings during our travels. But each time I sleep on an airport floor, I get a little broken—little more bent over, like an old man having lived an old life. But fresh clothes, toothbrush, and face-splash of motion activated sink water were slowly injecting life back into my soul.
Glasses back on, I look up to survey the damage.
Not too bad.
I turned to walk out of the bathroom and spotted something out of the corner of my eye. Etched into the mirror were these words,
“forgive yourself.”
I’ve seen these words before. They’re all over social media, self-help books and blogs, and on the lips of many popular Christian speakers.
Standing there, I wonder what this person has done. He has gotten himself into trouble, and now he’s looking for answers. He wants to be forgiven. But he looks to himself for answers. He seeks in vain. How can any of us expect to save ourselves from ourselves?
There is but One who has promised forgiveness. God grants it—freely. Though our sins are like scarlet, He makes us whiter than snow. He pardons with a smile. So look not into the mirror seeking answers within yourself.
Stand and peer
Into mirror
To seek to
Know your soul
Turn and look
Read like a book
The narrative
Of your heart
Tune your ears
And listen with tears
To a song
You do not know
Rest in peace
For His love will not cease
God’s knowledge of you
Is enough
anthony forrest
