Forgiving and Giving
Insights From Vacation Bible School
The Full Circle of Grace
The Missing Cardinal
Ryan was unusually quiet that morning. He’d lost something precious—
a small, hand-carved red cardinal that Mr. Pfinkston, one of the older church members, had given him the day before.
Miss Marla noticed his slumped shoulders and asked what was wrong.
“I can’t find my bird,” he said softly.
A few moments later, her eyes caught something odd—a bird-shaped lump bulging from A.J.’s back pocket.
“A.J.,” she said gently, “that must be uncomfortable to sit on. Why don’t you let me hold it?”
He froze, then slowly pulled out the cardinal. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, tears forming.
Miss Marla handed it back to Ryan.
Ryan looked down at the carving in his hands—then right back at A.J.
“I forgive you,” he said. And then, to everyone’s surprise, he placed the bird back in A.J.’s hand.
He didn’t just forgive.
He gave.
Forgiveness Comes Full Circle
That moment has stayed with me ever since.
Forgiveness isn’t finished until it becomes generosity.
God doesn’t forgive partway.
He forgives completely—and then blesses on top of it.
When we receive His mercy, we’re not meant to hoard it.
We’re meant to pass it on—to “pay forward” what can never be paid back.
Forgiveness that stops at “I’m sorry” is incomplete.
But forgiveness that turns into giving becomes divine.
Grace That Flows
We’re born craving justice—our version of it.
But grace doesn’t play by the world’s rules.
Grace goes first. Grace gives more. Grace lets go.
It doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen.
It means inviting redemption into the place where it did.
Only Jesus can forgive through us.
When we let His Spirit love through our wounds, forgiveness becomes freedom—not just for them, but for us.
Ryan’s red cardinal became more than a toy that day.
It became a picture of redemption—a gift received, returned, and released.
Reflection
Who in your life needs to experience God’s forgiveness through you?
Where might grace be calling you to go beyond forgiving—to giving?
What burden could be lifted if you allowed Jesus to forgive through you?
Prayer