Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 1:3 NIV

Christy Jones thought she was happily married until she received an email from an unknown woman which read, “You don’t know me, but I am no longer dating your husband … I’m sorry for any pain I caused your family.”  Christy felt devastated, and after thinking a long time about the situation confronted her husband. He eventually admitted it was true. Pain and anger battled within her, but instead of allowing it to control her, she offered her husband forgiveness. Her mercy repaired and strengthened their marriage. Many times, in the Bible God’s people are likened to an unfaithful partner. The whole book of Hosea depicts the life journey of a prophet with a wife who was constantly unfaithful. Hosea chose to keep on forgiving her, always hoping it would change her heart. A powerful object lesson to teach us about a God of compassion and forgiveness. How many times we are unfaithful too. Perhaps we have openly turned our back on the Lord and chosen to seek the pleasures of sin. Or it may be that we have just been allowing our time with God to slide, so that we lose our connection with him. This promise reminds us that no matter how far we have strayed, God’s arms are open wide, and his heart is yearning for us to return, to be forgiven and embraced by his love. Go today…

photo by vera-arsic-pexels   story info from familytoday.com, The Stranger’s Email by Katie Nielsen and RealSimple.com