Let It Go

By Kristy Solis

When a child is hurt by a friend, what do you teach or instill in this child?

Of course, in faith, my husband and I teach about forgiveness.  However, in the moment when my daughter was heartbroken, crying and hurt, it was difficult to discuss forgiveness in the midst of a breakdown. Then, reality set in – my daughter is growing up and needed to learn to cope with life, especially when life is not fair and not right at times.

As we prayed that night, my daughter and I discussed the importance of forgiveness and incorporated what the Bible states about forgiveness.

When we forgive others, we are not saying what they did was okay, but we are releasing them to God and letting go of its hold on us.  The ultimate sacrifice falls on us to let it go for peace of mind and happiness.

I reminded her that we pray this in the “Our Father” – “and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).

My daughter found solace in the reading and the viewing of the Our Father prayer through a different lens.  This child even referenced the movie, “Frozen,” singing “Let it Go!”

Now, when this precious child of mind is hurt or angry, sometimes, she sings “Let it Go!”  Most importantly, she relies on her faith and prays the “Our Father.” She said this makes her feel that she has done her part, and it makes her soul feel lighter and happier.

As a parent, this is forgiveness in action.

Let us pray, “Lord, help each one of us to forgive each other like you have forgiven each one of us.” I pray that each one of us is able to move on and let it go.