Luke 6:35 — “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

“She looks so much like you!” a fellow mom remarked to me the other day as we sat watching our students practice for the upcoming play production of The Music Man. I glanced at the stage and had to agree. Abigail shows some physical features that loudly proclaim she is mine.

While every child will likely resemble his or her parents in certain ways, each of us hopes we have given more than just physical characteristics to our offspring. Hopefully positive character traits have rubbed off as well.

Those who are children of God should show similarities to their heavenly Father. He is a God of love who is kind to even the most ungrateful and evil of men. He allows these to experience the blessings of food, home, sunshine, and more.

He gave the life of His Son for the ungodly and offers them forgiveness and salvation whether they choose to accept His gift or not. This is why it is not unreasonable for our Father to expect His children to display these same attitudes and actions.

He calls us to love our enemies, even though it is the most unnatural behavior to those who are in the world. Instead of seeking revenge or hoping for ill will, we must do good and lend to those in need without expecting anything in return. We must not judge or condemn, but instead forgive just as God has forgiven us.

But what does forgiveness look like? It is not condoning the sinful things that others have done. It is not saying that everything is fine. It is not even forgetting the circumstances.

Instead, it is a deliberate decision to let go of the anger and bitterness these wrongs provoke. It is relinquishing the desire to seek revenge, and praying for God’s best in the person’s life whether he or she repents.

The process of learning to forgive takes time, but when we decide to obey we grow more like our heavenly Father. His loving and merciful attitude and gracious attributes will be reflected in us.

Then those observing us on the stage of life will be apt to say, “She looks so much like her Father.” And that will be the greatest compliment and reward we could ever ask for.

Sandra Sheridan is a Midwest wife and mother of five. She shares her messages to her children with Farm World. Visit her at www.VersesFromMama.com