November 6
A Step Toward
Forgiveness
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 (NIrV)
Sonny had always felt out of place. His family had moved to a predominantly white neighborhood, and he quickly realized that being different in this new school was not easy. From day one, there were jibes. Some of the comments were subtle, others downright cruel. At first, Sonny tried to brush them off. After all, maybe it was just part of the high school experience—kids being kids, right? But it didn’t stop. It got worse. The laughter behind his back, the whispered words in the hallway. The racist comments started creeping in, and soon, Sonny couldn’t ignore them any longer.
Every day he walked into school, he felt the weight of the stares, the snickers, and the cruel remarks from a group of boys who made him their target. They didn’t think much of it. To them, it was just a game, a way to get a reaction out of him. But for Sonny, it was real. It hurt, deeply. The teachers and school officials didn’t take action. Without concrete evidence, they couldn’t do much, so Sonny was left to endure the daily humiliation.
Among the boys who targeted him was Hayden. Hayden wasn’t like the others. At first, he seemed to be just another participant in the bullying, but Sonny could see the discomfort on his face. He was different. Over time, Hayden’s behavior started to shift, though Sonny wasn’t sure why.
One afternoon, as Sonny walked through the busy streets of town, he saw Hayden coming towards him. Instinctively, Sonny turned to walk away, but Hayden called out to him.
“Hey, Sonny! Wait up,” Hayden said, sounding almost apologetic. Sonny froze, unsure of what to expect.
“Do you want a milkshake?” Hayden offered, a little awkwardly. “My shout.”
Sonny hesitated. This was the last person he thought would approach him like this. But curiosity got the better of him, and he reluctantly agreed. They sat at a small café and made small talk. Hayden was quiet at first, as if weighing his words. Finally, he spoke up.
“I’m sorry for everything,” Hayden said, looking down at his hands. “The jokes. The comments. I know I didn’t stop it. I was a part of it. I should’ve known better. I went too far. I’m sorry.”
Sonny didn’t know what to say. Part of him wanted to forgive Hayden right then and there. But another part of him was hesitant. Was Hayden just saying this because he felt guilty? Or was it genuine?
The next day, at school, things took a surprising turn. As Sonny walked through the halls, he could hear the familiar mocking voices starting up again. But this time, Hayden stepped in.
“Enough,” Hayden said firmly, his voice cutting through the noise. “No more of this. There’s no room for racism. Sonny is just like the rest of us, and that’s how he should be treated. He’s no different in God’s eyes.”
Sonny’s heart swelled. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. Hayden had stood up for him. Not just for him, but for what was right. And in that moment, something changed in Sonny. He realized that forgiveness wasn’t just about letting go of the pain—it was also about seeing the good in people, even when they’ve hurt you.
As he walked through the halls, he found himself praying quietly. God, help me to forgive those who hurt me. Help me to see them as You do, and to respond with love, not hate.
Sonny knew that it wouldn’t be easy. Forgiveness never is. But he also knew that God had forgiven him, and he could do the same for others. It was a journey—a hard one, but one worth taking.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I come to You today with a heart that longs to forgive.
There are times when I’ve been hurt, judged, and rejected, and it’s hard to let go of that pain.
But just as You have forgiven me, I know that I am called to forgive others.
Lord, help me to see people the way You see them—through eyes of love, grace, and mercy.
Even when it’s hard, help me to let go of grudges and bitterness. Teach me to be like You, to stand up for what’s right, and to love others despite their flaws.
Thank You for Your forgiveness, and for the strength You give me to walk in Your ways.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
