By Grace Benson
“I have lots of friends; it won’t matter if I don’t forgive just one person.” He was a 6th grade boy in my special education class, and had no trouble voicing his opinion. “
Alright, then let’s say you drop this person over here and go find another friend.” I had a picture with two friends on it, and tore the paper in half so that only one friend was left. “What about the grudge from your last friendship? Does it suddenly disappear, or do you still carry it with you?” Silence fell across the room.
Then without warning, the classroom door crashed open and slammed again, causing the room to vibrate. “You can’t make me go anywhere with him! He punched me for no reason!” A girl clenched her fists tightly together, tears coursing down her face, and glared at another boy who ran past me to the back of the classroom. She started saying mean things about him and his brother, who had been listening attentively to my class until now. The tension in the room was rising; I prayed for wisdom.
Using the example of the quarrel we had just witnessed, I explained how important it is to forgive before it’s too late. Bitterness and anger are like drinking poison and hoping the offender will die; it ultimately ruins you. I told them that only forgiveness can set you free to reach your goals, and challenged the class to forgive quickly by going back to those who offended them and choosing to forgive. 
Both the girl who interrupted the class, and the boy who thought he didn’t need to forgive his friend, raised their hands to take the challenge.
Later on, when I was on the playground with some of the children, I heard someone call my name. “Miss Grace!” I spun around and saw the same girl and some of her friends. “I forgave her, but I still have a long way to go!” She pointed to one of the girls with her, who smiled shyly. “I still have to forgive him, and her, and that kid over there,” she continued, motioning to several others around the playground. I praised her for her boldness and character in doing the right thing. The Lord took what seemed to be an unwelcome situation in class, and used it to turn the girl’s heart back to the truth that will set her free. Praise be to God, Who alone gives us the strength to say goodbye to grudges.