Yesterday a friend asked a question about the idea of forgiveness; Why does my God need to forgive me if he doesn't condemn me?

My first answer was: Because I have a sin nature that results in me doing things that offend others and Him.

As I was pondering this some more one of my sons hit the other one and I got mad. But then I had to forgive him. This was a good example of how God's forgiveness works in my life. My older son offended my younger one and I was offended. But I had to forgive as a matter of obedience to God. God sets the ultimate example for me in his forgiveness and this gives me power that the principle of forgiveness doesn't alone give me.

In further discussion I offered the analogy of my sons rather than just answer with the facts. I did this deliberately as a matter of technique. I recently read the gospel account in which Jesus explained why he used parables. So if parables are how the master carried His message so shall I.

Why forgiveness?
Because He loves his children as a father and when we do things that harm myself or others then it offends him.
It occurred to me that he doesn't say that we offend him but rather this is a human admission that we offend him.

I was grateful that my wife was home all day.
I was grateful that my son went out and practiced throwing on his own in the morning.
I was feeling unproductive during the day.
I spoke to a person in San Marcos who was looking for CA meetings.
I got a check in call from a sponsee.
We had a good break in the weather that lifted my spirits in the afternoon.
My son and I went on a drive scouting out places to ride our bikes.
I joined in a kickball game with the kids in the evening which helped them play fairly.

Thanks be to God for forgiveness this day.