Hebrews 10:14-18

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 
‘This is the covenant that I will make with them
   after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds’, 
he also adds,
‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ 
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Margaret was about 6 years old when she taught me about forgiveness.  

I was at a church dinner.  I was at Margaret's table.  We were done eating, and Margaret pulled out a new box of crayons and some paper from her "bag of tricks".  (It seems that wise parents always equip young children with such a bag, especially at church gatherings).  Margaret knew that I love to draw. 

So we began.  I felt at ease.  And then, snap!  Without warning the new crayon in my hand was in two pieces. 

  I felt badly.  Margaret looked at the ruined crayon and began to gather up the papers and close the crayon box (before I would do any further harm, I suppose).  

She said nothing.  

I squirmed.  "I am so sorry, Margaret!   I am so sorry!" 

"I forgive you", she said.  But she wouldn't look at me.  And she left.  For now the comfortable relationship between us was broken.  Something more needed to happen, and I resolved to do something more than apologize -- perhaps a new box of crayons?  

The evening came to an end.  I was walking through the hallway and I heard Margaret's voice calling after me.  

She ran up to me, and as I crouched down to talk to her she threw her arms around my neck.  She stepped back, looked me kindly in the eye and said "AND IT IS OK!!!!!"  At that moment I knew that our relationship was intact.  Margaret showed me that the offense would dissolve into the past.  It would be remembered "no more".  

Margaret is a beautiful young woman now.  I am sure she doesn't remember that event or what she did.  But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I encountered Christ in her that evening.  

Thank you, Margaret!