Enjoy the gift of foregiveness this Easter season

"Be kind … forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

- Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

It was Friday afternoon and I decided to take a break and go to the mall and walk to clear my head.

Since I was already at the mall, I couldn't resist a visit to one of my favorite stores to see if there were any fantastic bargains.

Nothing was really catching my eye, so I decided to go to the jewelry department and look around. I thought maybe seeing something bright and sparkly would lift my spirit.

My fingers ran over a bronze colored butterfly pin with a few sparkly stones. But I really wasn't interested in buying anything. I was only window shopping.

I noticed a sales table with some watches and necklaces with colored stones. So I moved over to it. Admiring the colors of the stones posted on each piece, my vision caught sight of a cross necklace. It had multicolored stones and I thought the way it sparkled in the light was quite delightful. As I scanned over the cross a second time, I overheard a young couple discussing the assortment of crosses displayed.

"They are beautiful," I chimed in uninvited.

"You think so?" the young woman replied.

Despite my interruption, the couple was still deep in conversation about what to buy. Pausing, they turned to me and asked if I really liked the cross. I told them I didn't just like it, I really liked it.

The young woman asked if I thought it would make a good gift. I asked what the occasion was and she went on to explain that it was kind of a makeup gift for her boyfriend's mother, whom she had offended in some way.

I told her if that was the case, a cross was the perfect gift. "It's God's sign to us regarding forgiveness," I said.

Her eyes opened wide as she expressed that the mother was quite upset with her and she was really hoping to be forgiven by her.

Then she turned to her boyfriend and, in a convincing sort of way, mentioned that his mother was religious after all. He nodded in agreement as he reached out to the display rack and picked up a cross from the assortment provided.

As I turned to walk away, they thanked me for my help. I told them anytime they were in need of forgiveness, the cross was the place to go.

I believe they walked away that Friday feeling a bit lighter in spirit. Just like that Friday in history a cross was offered on behalf of the forgiveness of all mankind.

This Easter season, I wish each of you a very special holiday. And may you open your heart to enjoy the free gift of forgiveness offered by God through the sacrifice of his Son, who died on the cross so we could be forgiven.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She will be speaking at the Church of The Holy Spirit in Schaumburg Wednesday, May 15. For details, call Nancy at (847) 894-7931. Annettee can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. She is available to speak to your group or be a personal life coach.